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HARVARD UNIVERSITY. 


LIBRARY 


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MUSEUM OF OOM oh ZOOLOGY 
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THE CAPE HORSE 


Its Origin, Breeding and Development 


in the 


UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 


A THESIS 


PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOT: 


OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEGREE OF 


DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 


BY 


PiEreR JURIAAN VAN DER Heype ScHreupER B. A. (Care) 


Standerton, Transvaal, U. S. A. 


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JUL @ 1916 


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The Author wishes to express his indebtedness to Professor 
Merritt W. Harper of the Animal Husbandry Department in the 
New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University and 
to Professor Dr. Arthur Golf, Professor of ‘‘Koloniale Viehzucht 
Landwirtschaftliche Institut an der Universitat zu Leipzig.’’ 


CONTENTS. 


The Cape Horse, Its Origin, Breeding and Development in the 
Union of South Africa. 


CHAPTER I. 


History oF Horse Bresping IN SouTH AFRICA 
(a) Its Origin. 
(b) Its Development. 
(ce) Its Decline. 
(b) Present Time. 


CuHapter I]. 


MetHops oF BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 


CuaprTer III. 


THe Care Horse 


(a) Its Characteristics. 
(b) On the Race Course. 
(ec) Its Diseases. 

(d) Distribution. 


CHAPTER IV. 


Various TYPES OF THE CAPE HORSE 


(a) In the Four Provinces. 
(b) The Basuto Pony and Namaqua Pony. 
(c) What Type to Breed. 


CHAPTER V. 


THE ECONOMICAL STATUS OF THE HORSE IN SouTH AFRICAN 
FARMING 


CONCLUSIONS 


INTRODUCTION 


The horse is the aristocrat of the Animal Kingdom. He traces 
his ancestry not only to the beginning of the Christian era but far 
back to prehistoric times—his genealogical tree is writ large and 
clear on the sands of Time. ; 

He has been man’s best friend from the beginning of his ex- 
istence and still claims his best affections and attentions to-day. 

All history profane and sacred attests the solicitude of man- 
kind for breeding, rearing and possession of the horse. He is en- | 
deared to man from infancy—the child has his rocking horse and 
he advances to the proud possession of his pony, hunter and pair. 

He has been identified with almost all that relates to human 
life. To study his origin, breeding, management and improvement 
is most profitable, important and pleasant. 

The horse is to-day the foundation on which rests the agri- 
cultural wealth of the greatest nations of the world. 

In the life of the South African people the horse has played a 
great part. 

He was the first domestic animal imported to the southern 
shores of the dark continent by the white man and both were new 
comers. The history of both therefore is very intimately linked. 

It was in the Autumn (April) of 1652 that two small fleets of 
sailing vessels from the East and the West crossed the Cape of Good 
Hope. The one from the West brought the white man and western 
civilization and the one from the East, horses from the Orient. 

Since that date horse breeding has become one of the develop- 
ing factors of the new country. ‘The stock was improved by fresh 
importations from the Orient and England, and it developed to 
great efficiency and fame towards the middle of last century, when 
a rapid decline set in, culminating in the disasters of the Anglo- 
Boer war of 1899-1902. 

According to historical sequence, new eras generally follow 
radical changes and disasters. After the war Briton and Boer 
settled down to rebuild and reconstruct what they had destroyed 
in a foolish war. The supposed barriers to progress and unity were 


4 


battered down. The erstwhile arenas of dissension, destructive 
wars and commercialism were united into the Union of South 
Africa in 1910. j 

In the wake of the changes brought about by the war followed 
new ideas and enterprises. There was a great back-to-the-land 
movement. The magic spell cast over the people by the world’s 
richest gold and diamond mines was broken, and the wealth of the 
upper inches of a rich and productive soil and all its possibilities 
was realized with a new zest. 

Certain of the pastoral industries commanded the world’s 
markets while others needed more attention, and one at least re- 
puired almost total rehabilitation, that is horse breeding. 

In order to do this a thorough knowledge of the past history of 
the industry and breed is essential. 

To add to this knowledge is the purpose of this thesis. The 
subject is perhaps beyond the scope of a work of this kind, but any 
attempt to know more about an industry which has once been a 
source of great national wealth but has been partly destroyed 
through various causes, would undoubtedly be of great help in the 
reconstruction of this branch of our farming. 

Since the war South Africa and especially the Union has 
entered into a new era of progress and prosperity, and to expand 
and solidify this every branch of farming industry must be placed 
on sure and efficient foundations, and no foundation is worth more 
attention, care and intelligence than our horse stock. 

In this thesis prominence has been given to some of the best 
authorities on the question. Following the great historical fact 
that similar causes will have similar effects we can take many valu- 
able lessons from the past to guide us in the reconstruction work 
of the future, bearing in mind that what has been done in the past 
can be done again. 

This monograph is by no means an exhaustive work, and aims 
at nothing more than an honest and first attempt to collect between 
two covers some of the large amount of scattered material on a sub- 
ject which deserves better attention in the ever-expanding pastoral 
and agricultural activity of the Union of South Africa even of the 
Continent of Africa. ) 

Yonder in the dusk lies the twilight Continent of Africa; for 
ages she has been claimed by selfishness, commercialism and barbar- 


eel Na rE we oO meting <a 


D 


ism. Christianity, commerce and civilization dispute this claim. 
Will it be the twilight of sunset or sunrise? Much depends on the 
progress and advancement of Southern Africa with her boundless 
possibilities linking up the continent with her great schemes of rail- 
way extension. ; 

The enterprise of the British, the tenacity of the Dutch with 
the refining influence of their French and methodical business habits 
of their Teutonic ancestors act and react upon one another and will 
ultimately produce a race and country second to none. (Fuller). 

Not only South Africa but all Africa with its wonderful re- 
sources is a country of the future. 

P. J. v. p. H. SCHREUDER. 

Cosmopolitan Club, 

Ithaca, N. Y., 

23rd March, 1915. 


CHAPTER I. 


HISTORY OF HORSE BREEDING IN SOUTH AFRICA 
(a) ITS ORIGIN. 


““There is always something new from Libya (Africa).’’—Aristotle. 


In most of the great works on the horse, the Cape Horse has 
briefly been alluded to as possessing a strong strain of Oriental 
blood into which Spanish blood and later English blood has been in- 
fused; that he possessed great stamina, hardness and endurance, 
but was lacking in size, conformity and beauty. 

Experts and great breeders at home are agreed that the Cape 
Horse reached its highest point of development and _ efficiency 
toward the middle of the last century, but that since then a gradual 
decline has set in and the good quality of the stock has deteriorated. 

The Cape Horse in the palmy days of its existence and to a 
very limited extent to-day shows very distinctive elements and char- 
acteristics in its inheritance. These heriditary qualities have never 
been traced satisfactorily, and in rehabilitating our horse stock too 
little attention has been paid to this very important factor, and in 
the attempt to reform to the old efficient and very excellent type and 
to regain the reputation and high standard of half a century ago, 
the deteriorated stock has been harmed to a further extent by un- 
intelligent cross breeding and bad selection. 

A knowledge, therefore, of the Cape Horse’s lineage and of the 
several strains that united in producing the best type is indispens 
ible and a first necessity. 

It would not be necessary perhaps to go into much detail on the 
original stock from which, it is contended, the Cape Horse sprung ; 
but it would be well to make use of such facts and conjectures, taken 
from the vast domain of research, as would throw light on a sub- 
ject that is as yet comparatively obscure. 


(1) Sir Humphrey de Trafford ‘‘ The Horse of the British Empire.’’ London 
1908. 


Graf E. von Wrangel ‘‘ Die Rassen des Pferdes.’’ Stuttgart 1908. 


7 


The general accepted theory among the writers on the horse 
is that North Africa may be considered as the home of the first 
warm-blooded type of horse—the ancestor of the modern light 
horse.” 

Prof. Ridgeway holds that, ‘‘North Africa, if not the birth- 
place is at least the cradle of the race which has been most con- 
cerned in the making of Arabs and Barbs, and through them of the 
Thoroughbred. This race was the only variety of horse that 
roamed over the plains of Libya, in the remote epochs; it was fleeter 
and more docile and altogether better adapted for riding purposes 
than any horses evolved in the plains of Europe and Asia. These 
were coarse, thick-set, dun and white colored horses, and in course of 
time, by blending these with the light and fleet-footed Libyan the 
various improved breeds of light and heavy horses now in existence 
were produced.? 

The Cyclopedia of American Agriculture in discussing the two 
great breeds of horses remarks that: “‘ Another distinct type seems 
to have existed in the South and later became the foundation stock 
of the beautiful horses of Persia, Arabia and Barbery States of 
North Africa. It now seems probable that it is principally to this 
form that we must look for the original stock of the modern Thor- 
oughbred, Saddle Horse and other races of speed horses. This an- 
cient stock so fruitful in ultimate results as exhibited by these high- 
ly improved blood horses prebably had its origin in the dry desert 
regions of North Africa.’’ 

Von Nathusius* places the North African horses as an under- 
croup of the Arabs and Persians; but the grouping applies to the 
modern area; for Ridgeway has proved beyond doubt that the 
Libyan tribes possessed a most notable breed of horses many cen- 
turies before the Arabs, Persians or Turks ever owned a horse. 

Most continental writers are unanimous in dividing all breeds 
of horses into two groups: the warm-blooded (Abendlandische, 
Oriental), and the cold-blooded (Morgenlandische, Heavy horses) .° 


(2) R. Lydekker ‘‘The Horse and Its Relatives.’’ 1912. 
Sir W. H. Flower ‘“The Horse.’’ 1910. 

(3) William Ridgeway ‘‘The Origin and Development of the Thoroughbred 
JHORS27¢ HOS. 

(4) Herman Von Nathusws “‘Vortrage uber Viehzucht und Rassenkenntnisse.’’ 
1891. 

(5) Simon Von Nathusius ‘*‘ Unterschiede zwisschen der Morgen-und Abend- 
landische Pferdegruppen.’’ 1891.* 

Wilhelm Bolsche ‘‘ Das Pferd und Seine Geschichte.’’ 1888. 


8 


The warm-blooded group is characterized by “‘extreme refinement, 
breediness, beauty of form and intelligence, speed, stamnia, grace of 
movement and an active nervous temperament; contrasting with 
these are the characteristics of the cold-blooded group; great scale 
and grossness, slow awkward movement, sluggish lymphatic temper- 
ament, black and dun color, and much development of hair.’’ 

From the investigations of Prof. Ridgeway it is largely to be 
deduced that ‘‘the Libyan horse flourished before the end of the 
second millennium, B. C. They were superior in speed to other 
known breeds of Europe and Asia and were distinguished by their 
bay color, and star in the fore-head, which is the characteristic of 
the Libyan to this day.’’ The highest pedigree of the Arab is still 
to-day traced to the Keheilet Ajuz family as the most distinguished 
of the five foundation families of the Arab stock and generally this 
strain of Arabs are of a bay color. ‘‘The swiftest horse known in 
Homerie days was a bay with a star in the fore-head. In Greek 
classical days the dark horses of Lybia were the swiftest known and 
they also bore the palm of victory from all others in the Roman 
circus in the first century or our era.’’ According to Ridgeway 
the Arabs, Barbs and Persian breeds owe their origin to this light, 
fleet-footed bay horse of Libya. As is generally known the Eng- 
lish thoroughbred has been developed from one or from all of these 
breeds and present day runners and breeders of note still trace their 
pedigree to these great founders of the thoroughbred stock. The 
Oriental horses imported to England which more than any other 
have contributed in establishing the Thoroughbred are: the Byerly 
Turk, (1689) bay, the Darley Arabian, (1700) bay, the Godolphin 
Barb, (1730) bay, and with them are generally reckoned as the 
ultima thule of racing pedigree their great and illustrous sons 
Herod, (1758) bay, Eclipse, (1764) chestnut, Matcham (1748), bay, 
respectively.° The three great ancestors were all bays and fourteen 
hands or less than fourteen hands high ;‘ although their famous sons 
of half a century later stood much higher. These stallions and 
their progeny were crossed with mares of various breeds and colors, 
yet it is remarkable and a fact of great value how the bay color be- 
came stamped upon most horses of note. Within a century and a 
half the bay horse had ousted in all the great tests almost every 


(6) General Stud Book, Vol. I, London 1808. 
(7) Sir Walter Gilbey ‘‘ Small Horses in Warfare.’’ 1906, 


9 


other color and towards the end of the last century it was the pre- 
dominant color amongst the great winners and breeders.® 

From statistics we gather that during the last thirty years 
(1836-1866) the colors of the winners at the Derby and St. Leger 
were: 

Derby...... 7 chestnuts, 7 brown, and 16 Bays 
St. Leger....5 chestnuts, 7 brown, and 17 Bays 

It is further found that from the winners of the Derby, St. 
Leger, and Oaks, between the years 1870-99, the number of greys 
has disappeared altogether and that the number of blacks as well 
as the browns and chestnut browns is strongly on the wane. 

‘“We find thus that the increase of speed is gradually render- 
ing the English Thoroughbred a purely bay stock and as from the 
earliest times of which we have any record the Libyan horse has 
been not only the swiftest horse known but also of a bay color, we 
are justified in concluding that his bay color is as fundamental a 
characteristic as his speed, endurance, hardiness and docility, and 
that it is due not to artificial selection but to natural specilization.’’® 

This reversion to the bay color of the stock bred from Oriental 
sires is bearing out the ali important fact that horses lke other 
animals and like birds will transmit their distinctive colors which 
will remain constant from generation to generation.*° In cross 
breeding we know that ceteris paribus the individual potency and 
characteristics of the nobler parent of more fixed type will be 
strongest in the transmission of these elements.** According to 
Davenport ‘‘that parent will be prepotent whose heredity sub- 
stance is least mixed and therefore most intensified along the line 
of established characters.’’? The relative significance of this fact 
as applied to the Thoroughbred stock where parents on the paternal 
side were of nobler breed is self-evident. 

The original wild horse was without a doubt of a “‘fixed color.”’ 
The only existing wild horse, the Prejvalsky’s, is a bay. This con- 
firms the views of those who maintain that bay was the original 
color of the horse and according to Ridgeway the color of the orig- 
inal race of light horses. Several of the greatest authorities on 
(8) Sir Walter Gilbey ‘‘ Horses—Breeding to Colour-’’ 1907. 

(9) William Ridgeway ‘‘ The Origin of the Thoroughbred Horse.’’ 1905. 
(10) Graf George Lehndorf ‘‘Handbuch fir Pferdeztchter.’’ 1908. 
(11) Charles Darwin ‘‘ Origin of Species.’’ 

(12) H. Davenport ‘‘ Principles of Breeding.’’ 1907. 


10 


the horse have expressed similar views on the color question. Hurst 
holds that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that in certain 
strains there may be a partial coupling of coat color and racing 
power. It is instanced that the chestnut grand-children of the 
famous St. Simon have proved themselves inferior in racing power 
to their bay and brown brothers and sisters.‘ It is also interest- 
ing to note that there is a strong tendency for the off-spring of 
eross-breds to be chestnut. ‘‘In the case of Thoroughbreds,’’ says 
_ Bunsow, ““bays and browns may be either pure as regards the power 
of transmitting their color to their off-spring or impure when they 
may give rise to chestnuts." 

In the horse breeding of Arabia to-day the bays are easy favor- 
ites and firsts. Blunt says that, ‘‘out of a hundred mares among 
- the Amezah one would see 35 bays, 30 greys, 15 chestnuts, and the 
rest brown or black or two or three with white feet and a snipe or 
blaze down the face * * * * * * with very few exceptions all the 
handsomest mares we saw were bay which is without doubt by far 
the best color in Arabia, as it is in England. In choosing I should 
take none but bays and if possible bays with black-points.’’!® 

Had this description been of a high class South African stud 
of horses it could not have been more true not even had he ex- 
pounded on their merits and good qualities for I shall have oppor- 
tunity to show that the Cape Horse in competition with his Arab 
and Persian and even Thoroughbred brothers in a county foreign 
to all of them easily held his own; in fact quite outstripped them. 

With these remarks and by branching off into the field of re-. 
search we return from the desert regions of North Africa to its sunny 
south to trace there the distinctive characteristics of the Libyan 
horse as exhibited in its descendents. I allude of course to the Cape 
Horse which developed to great fame during the middle of the last 
century. 

As will be shown in the further development of this chapter, 
the first importations of horses to South Africa were from Java and 
Persia. The descendents of these like the English Thoroughbred 
show in a very marked degree that the most prominent inherited 
qualities and characteristics were according to the best accounts, 
those that characterized the Libyan race of North Africa. 


(13) C. C. Hurst ‘‘ Royal Society of London.’’? 1905. 
(14) &. Bunson ‘<The Mendel Journal No. 2, 1911. London. 
(15) Sir Wilfred S. Blunt ‘‘ The Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates.’’ 1908. 


11 


From a report*® in 1845 by Lt. Colonel Richardson who bought 
remounts in South Africa for the Indian Army we find that among 
a batch of 266 horses the colors were the following: 147 bays, 46 
brown, 32 chestnuts, 19 greys, 14 dark-grey, 7 black, 1 dun. This 
shows a preponderance of about 56% bays, or over 72% if browns 
are included. The greys and dapple greys show strongly the color 
of the Spanish greys imported in 1807. The chestnuts and blacks 
are the progeny of crosses and show the influence of different types 
of Oriental sires. The Libyan influence, however, is most marked 
especially in a country where up to then horse-breeding was prac- , 
tically based on the system of ‘‘survival of the fittest’’ and in a 
case where the horses were picked ones. Ridgeway’s argument that 
color is as much a characteristic—a natural specialization—as any 
high quality holds true in this case as it does with the Thoroughbred. . 
The better animals of the highest qualities survived the severest 
tests—and these were the bays. Making use of the proverbial 
drowning man’s straw it may be added that one of the stallions fre- 
quently alluded to in Van Riebeeck’s Diary (1652-1662) as ‘‘most 
beautiful stallions’’ was called ‘‘Rode Vos,’’ (Red fox) and was 
thus a bay."* 

From the valuable researches of Litchtenstein during the years 
1798-1806'* we find the following remarks on the horse material of 
South Africa a hundred and fifty years after the importation of 
horses from Java and Persia; a considerable period of time during 
which the breed of horses could develop into a special and distinct 
type. ‘‘The breed of horses of Persian descent of the northers dis- - 
tricts of Cape Colony is considered to have been kept the purest. 
They are characterized by a stronger structure, greater height, and 
extraordinary endurance and are of a bay color. These northern 
districts comprise the Hantam range of mountains and plains which 
were adaptable to horse breeding, forming with its dry air and 
scanty herbage on rich lime soils a second home for the Arab. 
Greater care has been bestowed on their breeding and selection than 
in the Southern districts.”’ 


(16) Papers relating to the Purchase of Horses at the Cape of Good Hope for 
Cavalry and Artillery Service in India and the Colony. (Parliamentary 
Blue Books 1845). 

(17) Dr. E. C. Godeé-Molsbergen. Jan van. Riebeeck. Stichter van Hol- 
lands Zuid Afrika 1918. 

(18) Heinrich Litchtenstein. ‘‘ Reisen in Siidlichen Afrika 1798-1806. Ber- 
lin 1811. 


Having attempted to trace the characteristics of the Cape Horse 
to its Libyan ancestors from such coincidents as color, stamnia, do- 
cility, endurance and hardiness we return to its history in South 
Africa itself. 

At the time of the discovery of the Cape in 1486 the Aborigines 
possessed no knowledge of the horse (Epuus Caballus) nor do we 
possess to-day any palaeontological proofs of its existence in pre- 
historic times. The natural group of Equidae, however, were rep- 
resented by three distinct types and in large numbers too. They 
were: (1) The mountain Zebra (Zebra equus); (2) Burchells 
Zebra (Zebra Burchelli; (3) The Quagea (Equus Champmani).’ 
The mountain zebra still lives in the mountains of the eastern Cape 
eolony and is protected by law, while various species of it are found 
right over Africa as high up as Abyssinia. The Burchell’s Ze- 
bra is almost extinct and the Quagga quite; the last specimen died 
in the Zoological Gardens, London in 1860.°° The Quagga was 
closest related to the horse and would have been a most useful ani- 
mal had it been domesticated. It disappeared, however, before 
something was done in that direction; although very early in the 
history of the colony it was remarked by one of the company’s di- 
rectors in excuse for his refusing to send out horses from Holland 
to South Africa that, ‘‘there is such a fine race of horses indigenous 
at the Cape and the colonists should capture them and by further 
breeding help themselves.’’*! 

The history of the first ae arte of horses leads us right 
back to the days when Holland was mistress of the seas and owned 
the Cape and enjoyed the greatest trade with the East. Merchan- 
dise, spices and food-stuffs played the main part in the trade with 
the East Indies, and live-stock owing to the great inconvenience 
and risk of life due to the long voyage formed a very unimportant 
part, more so because at the Cape there was an abundant supply of 
native cattle and sheep. It was by sheer necessity—cattle failed 
and trouble arose with the natives—that a couple of horses were im- 
ported and a small number were landed safely on the South African 
shore. It was on a stormy day in the late autumn( April, 1652) that a 
fleet of merchant vessels under the command of van Teylingen 
sighted the Cape of Good Hope. On these vessels were ‘‘some”’ 


(19) Robert Wallace. ‘* Farming Industries in the Cape Colony’’. 1896. 
(20) &. Lydekker ‘‘ The Horse and Its Relatives, 1912. 
(21) Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope. 


13 


horses for the Cape.??. Owing to the storms the cargo could not be 
be landed and the horses were put on shore at St. Helena from where 
they were subsequently fetched and returned to the Cape. In the 
following year four more specimens arrived, amongst them ‘‘a fine 
stallion—the only one at the Cape,’’ which unfortunately was torn 
to pieces by lions one morning when left to graze outside the fort- 
ress.°? In 1655 they succeeded in capturing two of the horses let 
loose on St. Helena and in the following winter two ‘‘fine stallions’”’ 
were also secured, and taken to the cape leaving behind an older 
stallion with a mare and foal, which escaped. The following year is 
notable for the order the captain of the trading vessel Venenburgh 
had for bringing out some asses from the Cape Verde islands. In 
1657 the horses left at St. Helena had increased to seven and the 
reward of twenty rix dollars was promised for their capture. In 
1661 the commissioner Andries Fusius reported to the Lords Seven- 
teen (Batavian Republic), ** that ‘‘horse breeding is becoming a 
very profitable occupation, out of 22 horses imported up to date 
there were 15 foals.’’ Jan van Riebeeck, the governor of the first 
settlement exerted himself to the-utmost to promote the well-fare 
of the small community and especially for the importation of horses 
for agricultural purposes and military service, against the raids of 
the natives. 

In a letter of his in 1656”° he is literally praying for a few 
horses from India and especially mares for breeding purposes. 
They could send him at least one with every homeward bound fleet 
he argued. Only three years later was his urgent request complied 
with to some extent. The government had an interest in the agri- 
cultural development of the colony, it was stated; but the trans- 
portation of horses was too cumbersome and stowage on board the 
vessels was very limited. They will, however, try to send him at 
least two horses with every homeward bound fleet especially now 
that there are troubles with the-Hottentots. But it will be a haz- 
ardous undertaking owing to the long voyage, scarcity of forage and 
water, and they can only hope that some will reach hime alive.*® 
It was also the intention of the council as is learned from a letter 
(22) Precis of the Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope. H.C.V. Leibbrandt. 
(23) Jan van Riebeeck, Dagverhaal 1652-1662. 

(24) Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope. 1652-1766. 


(25) Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope. 1652-1766. 
(26, 27 and 28) Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope. 1652-1795. 


ee 


* in September, 1659 to send a few horses from Holland to the Cape, 
but since an attempt to Japan had failed they thought it best to 
give it up.2’ This fact is of great importance since Quadekker in 
his ‘‘ Het Paarden Boek’’ holds that ‘‘to increase weight and size in 
the rather small and light Cape Horse, the Netherlands’s govern- 
ment imported some heavy Dutch horses.’? The most thorough 
search for proof of this in other works on the South African horse 
has failed nor does the Cape Horse in any way show the smallest 
trace of cold-blooded strains. 

In the meantime horse breeding has developed so successfully 
in spite of the step-motherly treatment of the Dutch East India 
Company that in 1665 the first public sale of sixteen horses took 
place at the average price of about four pounds five shillings each, 
(about twenty-one dollars) a price that was equal in value to that of 
five large oxen in prime condition.** This year, then, marks the 
time when private farmers first owned horses and when horse breed- 
ing became a part of their agricultural pursuits. They do not 
seem to have made a great suecess of it. Either through neglect in 
breeding or some other reason, the breed has gone back much, espec- 
ially in size. This is clearly demonstrated by a government notice 
of the year 1686,;7% ‘‘Since the breed of horses of this country has 
considerably deteriorated every person who uses a horse under the 
age of three years is liable to a fine of forty rix dollars. 

To rectify this evil the company through the exertions of the 
good and zealous governor Simon van der Stell imported in 1689 
some stud horses directly from Persia. With these importations 
we come to the close of the seventeenth century and find that horse- 
breeding has been firmly established. The animals were small yet 
highly esteemed for their usefulness and though lacking many good 
points externally they possessed the good qualities of hardiness, en- 
duranee, and excellent constitution and a temperament that com- 
bined great willingness, docility and steadiness. 

To come back to the breed of these first importations we find 
that they were put down in the archieves of the colony as ‘‘Java 
horses’’, and most of the writers who have touched on South Afri- 
ean horse-breeding are satisfied to say that the Cape Horse is de- 
scended from horses imported from Java and possesses a very strong 
strain of Persian blood. The Java horse of the early centuries ac- 


(29) George McCall Theal. History and Ethnography of 8S. A. 1505-1798, 


15 


cording to the best authorities is of a strong Persian and Arab - 
strain. Freiherr von Hoerdtl in his ‘‘Pferderassen des -Nieder- 
landisch-Indischen Archipels’’ *° says that ‘‘One cannot speak of a 
breed of horses, only ponies are represented and they show relation 
to a common stock. About the origin of these ‘minature horses’ 
nothing definite could be gathered. In all probability they are the 
degenerate descendents of the Arabian stallions that were imported 
by Arabian traders hundreds of years ago; that they were an 
autochthonous product of the Archipelago is out of the question.’’ 
The most important pony breeders of the present day are the Sandel- 
woods, Makasses, and Sumbawas. They show their Arabian de- 
scent in form, temperament, hardiness, and good constitution. 

From the great work of Robert Miiller** we gather more or less 
the same facts, viz—That the Java horse is a descendent from Arab 
steeds imported by the Moslems during the sixteenth and seven- 
teenth century. 

The well known Dutch authority on horses, E. A. L. Quadekker 
in his ‘‘Het Paarden Boek’’ with several other writers?? of fame 
and experience in the very localities are all unanimous in the view 
that the existing breeds of ponies are of Arabian descent but that 
through neglect and unintelligent crossing they have deteriorated 
considerably and that thereby a great source of national wealth is 
threatened to be lost. ‘‘In spite of the inaccurate and unintelli- 
gent breeding,’’ says Quadekker, ‘‘the breed has, however, main- 
tained its characteristics most tenaciously, which pleads very strong- 
ly for its noble origin and purity of race.’ If so much ean be said 
of the Java pony to-day the horses imported from Java in 1652 and 
later must have been pure bred Arabs, for there is no proof that 
Java possessed any other breed of horses. 

In the light of all these investigations made on the spot we 
may come to a safe conclusion, therefore, that the Cape Horse owes 
its origin to a fairly pure Arab—Persian strain. The Netherlands 
being mistress of the sea, during the sixteenth and seventeenth 
century and having at its disposal the best of the rich East would 
undoubtedly have procured the best also in the way of live-stock 
for her colonial possessions. This supposition will hold strongest 
(30) Cf. Graf. C. G. Wrangel. Die Rassen des Pferdes. 1908: 

(31) Robert Miiller ‘‘Geographie der Wirtschaftstiere.’’ Leipzig 1903. 


(32) A. M. C. J. Eaxler Ritmeester der O. I. Cavalerie ‘‘ Het Paard.-’’ 
G. W. Couperus ‘‘ Militaire Tydschrift’’ 1891. 


16 


for the several stud horses imported from Persia in 1689—the same 
year the Byerly Turk first attracted attention in England, and the 
breeding from Oriental sires became more popular. It is quite 
probable that the Dutch realized the plausibility of this new venture 
in English horse breeding and decided to furnish the Cape with 
Oriental horses. 

Nothing definite about the size, color, and exterior character- 
istics of the early importations from Persia to South Africa is men- 
tioned anywhere but working back from the characteristics of their 
descendents of about 178 years later—up to the time when the im- 
portation of English Thoroughbreds became very marked—we have 
ample justification in claiming for the Cape Horse an origin simi- 
lar to that of the Thoroughbreds from the noblest strains of all 
warm-blooded horses—the libyan of North Africa, through its 
Arab, Barb, and Persian types. 

About 1778 several horses were imported from South America 
and ‘‘they were highly esteemed for their beauty, their gentleness, 
and good service.’’?* 

In that year the viceroyalty of the River Plate was created and 
the importation of animal products assumed greater proportions. 
Large droves of horses roamed over the plains in a wild state. They 
were the descendents of the horses abandoned by Don Pedro de 
Mondoza in 1538 and were of Andalusian origin being a cross be- 
tween the Barb and the Arabian and became as famous as the Barbs. 

The estancieros (farmers) of those days selected the best for 
domestic service and the good qualities of the original stock was kept 
up to a high degree.** 

Thus the importation of these horses was only another fresh 
infusion of Oriental blood from a different source. They were 
highly esteemed and must have been very good specimens. 

_ In 1782 almost a century after the importation of the several 
stud horses from Persia the first eight stallions were imported from 
England. Nothing definite can be ascertained about their pedigree 
for the first volume of the ‘‘General Stud Book’’ was only published 
in 1808. At that time all England was wildly enthusiastic over - 
the attainments of Herod, Eclipse, Matcham, and their several illus- 
trious sons and daughters. The Oriental sire has once for all over- 
(33) Sir John Barrow ‘‘ Travels in the Interior of South Africa.’’ 1797-1798. 
(34) The Evolution of Live-stock Breeding in the Argentine. From ‘‘ The Ag- 


ricultural and Pastoral Census of the Nation.’’ Vol. III. Buenos 
Aires 1909. 
UT 


come all prejudice that may have existed and did exist a little more 
than half a century ago before the ‘‘Grand Trio’’ and other sires 
both Barbs and Arabs came to clear it all away. The English 
‘“plood horse’’ has become thoroughly established and popular with 
all sections of the community. We can therefore safely take for 
granted that these stallions were Thoroughbreds or at least descend- 
ents of the Oriental horses whose names were household words in 
Kingland and also abroad. Referring to writers on the horse at 
that time in England we find that the term ‘‘Thoroughbred’’ does 
not occur anywhere. It dees not occur in the early volumes of the 
Racing Calendar, nor in other works relating to the turf. It does 
not occur in the Sporting Magazine of 1805, wherein we read of the 
shipment to Russia of ‘‘Stallions of the first blood and celebrity.’’ 
In an 1806 issue there is a remark about stallions covering ‘‘thor- 
oughbred mares’’ distinguishing them from ‘‘hunting’’ and ‘‘coun- 
try’’ mares.*° From Laurence in his ‘‘ History and Deliniation of 
the Horse’’ we have the following: ‘‘AIl horses intended for this 
purpose (racing) must be thoroughbreds, i. e. both their sires and 
dams must be of the purest Asiatic and African coursers exclus- 
ively and be attested in an authentic pedigree.”’ 

More hght happily is thrown on the descendants of these horses 
and probably on themselves too by Lichtenstein.*® With his usual 
thoroughness he describes one of the farms where the expedition 
recuperated for several days. 

‘“‘Mr. Van Reenen,’’ he writes, ‘‘also exhibited to us some of 
the finest horses of his stud. The stallion was a beautiful ‘national 
English horse’ (national Englander) which Mr. van Reenen has 
obtained from England with great difficulty and expense.’’ He 
further mentions that during the English occupation of the Cape 
(1795-1803) several English stallions were imported. Besides Mr. 
van Reenen, he remembers four other colonists who have shared in 
this importation. They do not seem to have regretted their pur- 
chases, since their stock shows a remarkable improvement. ‘‘In 
fact,’’ he remarks, ‘‘much seems to be expected for the improvement 
and development of horse breeding in this locality, as is judged 
from the excellent foals which were shown us.”’ 

These remarks refer to a stud near Capetown in the present dis- 
trict of Malmesbury, still a famous district for good horses to-day. 


(35) Sir Walter Gilbey ‘‘ Horses—Breeding to Colour. 1907. 
(36) Heinrich Litchtenstein Reisen in Sudlichen Afrika. 1811. 


18 


More important though, is another account of a stud, situated in the 
locality which has gained undying fame for the Cape Horse. 

This stud of Mr. van Reenen situated in the then Hantam dis- 
trict is described as ‘‘an excellent stud, containing over three hun- 
dred breeding horses, all bred from the best English and Arab 
breeds. He possessed among others an Arabian stallion for which 
he paid three thousand thalers, (approximately 2250 dollars) .*7 

At this time the ruling governor van der Graaf, a great lover 
of horses, pomp, and show, doubled the number of horses in the 
company’s stables which he took over with 66 horses. Most luxur- 
iant equipages were kept for the governor and his following. Atl 
this and also the luxurious life based on the fluctuating wealth of 
the military life of two hired French regiments from Luxembourg 
gained for the Cape of those days the name of ‘‘little Paris.’’ The 
horse had an aristocratic career in that age and figured largely in 
the pomp and splendor of great state occasions, and this luxuriant 
life at the greatest half way of the world’s trade traffic has undoubt- 
edly called for the maintenance and possession of the best horses 
procurable. 

From these several accounts we have sufficient circumstantial 
evidence to strengthen the supposition that the majority of the 
horses imported from England during the eighteenth century were 
Thoroughbreds, or as they seem to have been called at the Cape ‘‘Na- 
tional English Horses’’ and it is quite clear that some very good 
Arabs also found their way to the best studs in the colony. 

During the same year (1782) five stud horses were imported 
from Boston, U. 8. A.*° As in the ease with the importations from 
England we have no reliable information as to the breed and other 
details of these horses. To throw any light on the question it is 
necessary to review the contemporary breeds of horses in America, 
and determine which was the popular one that would likely attract 
the attention of foreign buyers. 

The foundation stock of the American horse is most fully 


(387) The German ‘‘Thaler’’ of that period equalled three shillings.. .McCalt 
Theal in his ‘* History of South Africa’’ remarks on the dollar: ‘‘ Its 
real value as determined by the rate of exchange fluctuated so much that 
it is impossible to give statistics with absolute accuracy in English money. 
Up to 1789 the ria-dollar equalled four shillings (still the standard coin- 
age m the U. S. A., as introduced by the Dutch to New Amsterdam in 
1685). In 1816 it equalled two shillings and sixpence and later one shil- 
ling and sizpence. In 1820 English coinage was introduced. 


19 


worked out in Wallace’s work.?® The information that concerns 
the point in question is that in 1656 Adrean van der Donck in a de- 
scription of the country (New Netherland) speaks of the stock of 
horses as being of ‘‘proper breed for husbandry’’ having been 
brought from Utrecht, and that the stock has not diminished in 
size and quality. ‘‘They had a very wide fame in that day and were 
better fitted for agricultural uses than the Connecticut English 
horses because they were larger and stronger, yet sprightly and 
active and some of them could run very well. Dutch horses im- 
ported to Boston in 1635 and later fetched much higher prices (35 
pounds) than English horses. They were 14% hands high, and 
were better adapted for general purposes than English horses ex- 
cept the saddle. The term ‘‘Dutch horses’’ is not to be confused 
with that of a latter period used exclusively for the great massive 
draft horses.”’ 

The Cyclopedia of American Agriculture holds that the Barb 
through the imported Andalusian horses of Spain also forms an 
important part of the native base on which the improvement ot 
horses in America has been made. According to Wallace the Dutch 
and English horses kept up a high point of efficiency and develop- 
ment so that the importation of the first Thoroughbreds there was 
an undoubtedly first class foundation stock of warm-blooded strains. 

The first Thoroughbred imported to America in 1730 was Bulle 
Rock from Darley Arabian out of a mare by Byerly Turk.*° 

He was followed by Bonny Lass by Bay Bolton out of a mare 
by Darley Arabian. Further importations followed after this date 
and before 1782 such notables as Matcham, Stark and Diomed were 
imported. From these observations there is no doubt that the most 
popular horse at that time was the progeny of the Thoroughbreds 
imported from England. 

With these several new importations, new blood has been in- 
fused to the Cape Horse. The boundaries of the colony have ex- 
panded and horse breeding developed most successfully towards 
the end of the eighteenth century which has also been remarkable 
for two notable events which affected horse breeding very much. 

In 1719 the later so much dreaded ‘‘horse sickness’ made its 
first appearance and swept away some several hundred horses. It 


(38) George McCall Theal ‘‘ History of South Africa, 1625 to 1798. 
(39) J. H. Wallace *‘ The Horse of America’’ 1897. 
(40) Merritt W. Harper ‘‘ Management and Breeding of Horses.’’ 19138. 


20 


repeated its visitation in 1763 and caused tremendous havoe amongst 
horse life; the farmers losing within a couple of months over two 
thousand five hundred horses. These deplorable events, however, 
were followed by a more favorable one. In 1769 the first batch of 
remounts for the Indian army were exported and became a fore. 
cunner of a great and prosperous trade.** 

The nineteenth century is remarkable in regard to horse-breed- 
ing in so far as within its decades horse breeding reached its highest 
point of development and also its deplorable decline and deterior- 
ation. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the colonists be- 
came filled with the desire of possessing pedigree horses, and some 
of the meanest ‘‘blood weeds’’ of the Thoroughbred stock found 
their way to some of the best studs in the colony. The wool sheep 
farming, ostrich farming, gold and diamond mines were found more 
lucrative occupations and investments and the serviceable and high- 
ly efficient Cape Horse had to give way and was readily neglected. 
These are in short some of the reasons of deterioration of horse 
breeding in South Africa and we will refer to them more fully later 
on in this chapter. 

In March, 1807, during the Napoleonic wars two French vessels 
were captured containing some Spanish breeding horses en route 
to Buenos Aires. ‘‘It is from these that we derived the blue and 
red roans so valuable for their great powers of endurance.’’* 
Pete a contemporaneous writer and explorer describes their 
progeny as ‘‘a kind of bluish grey (blau und grau schimmels) eol- 
ored horse, of medium height rae extraordinary ‘broad br cash, em- 
inently suited for carriage horses.’ 

Another reference to this infusion of Spanish blood is found in 
the Live Stock Journal No. 2 on Light Horses.** The Earl of 
Neweastle forgetful or ignorant of the fact that Arab, Persian, and 
even Thoroughbred blood went to establish the Cape Horse, holds 
forth that the ancestors of the Cape Horse came from Spain. He, 
however, expounds on the good qualities of the Spanish horse of 
the eighteenth century. ‘*The Barb’’, writes this authority, ‘‘were 
the lords of the horse tribe, but the spanish horses were the princes,’’ 
(41) McCall Theal ‘‘ History of South Africa,’’ 1652-1795. 

(42) George McCall Theal ‘‘ History of Sowth Africa’’, since 1798. 


(43) Heinrich Lichtenstein ‘‘ Reisen in Sudlichen Afrika.’’ 1811. 


(44) Live Stock Journal No. 2 ‘‘Light Horses—Breeds and Management.’’ 
1907—London- 


mak 


and proceeds to describe the dappled grey descendents of the Span- 
ish stallions at the Cape especially those bred by Mr. Melck of Ber- 
erivierplaats, which were known as ‘‘Cape Greys’’ (Kaapse Schin- 
mels), and were highly prized. They were compact and well built 
animals and frequently sold at £300 a pair. 

The following year (1808), a number of horses and mares 
were brought from the New England States in America. These are 
said to have been of Spanish and Eastern blood.*® This is the sec- 
ond importation of breeding horses from the United States and we 
have every reason to believe that these horses were of good Oriental 
and Spanish strains, or at least the progeny of imported Thorough- 
bred stallions and native mares of Spanish or Oriental blood. 

The greatest progress, however, was made in the development 
of horse breeding during the Governorship of Lord Charles Somer- 
set. He was a passionate lover and good judge of the noble animal, 
and imported many of the best Thoroughbreds as their pedigrees 
will show. From the General Stud Book *° we find that during the 
years 1811-20, eighteen stallions and two mares were imported to 
South Africa. Most of them could show an extended pedigree to — 
the great founders of the Thoroughbred stock. Six of these stal- 
lions died on the passage out. ‘The others were: 

1. Claudio (Belissa—Phenomenon—Herod. Dam, Gohanna). 
2. Cottager (Hambletonian. Dam by Dragon). 3. Bangup (Young 
Sir Peter. Dam by Tantrum). 4. Merry Andrew (Dick Andrews. 
Dam, sister Bangtail). 5. Diabolus (Williamson’s Ditto. Dam, 
Mangolia the Younger). 6. Kutusok (Waxy—Sir Peter—Herod).. 
7. Kricketer (Sir George. Dam by Ruler). 8. David (Sir David. 
Dam by Stanford). 9. Yaffil (Popinjay. Dam by Woodpecker— 
and Herod Mare). 10. Pompey (Windle. Dam Anna Belle by 
Shuttle, a great winner and direct descendent of Darley Arabian). 
11. Fascinator (Sorcerer—Godolphin Barb. Dam, Hannah). 12. 
Vanguard (Haphazard. .Vestal by Walton). 13. Sorcerer (Sor- 
cerer—Godolphin Barb). 14. Ploughboy. 

Sorcerer was one of the finest horses seen at the Cape up to this 
period, and was sold for 10,000 rixdollars to a Hantam breeder. 
The two mares were entered as No. 1, born 1801 (Driver. Herod 
Mare). This Herod mare was the mother of the famous breeders 
(45) Cape Monthly 1809. 


(46) Compare Racing Calendar 1885. Montgomery Martin. Also Agr. Journ. 
of the Cape Colony Vol. III. W. Grey Rattray. 


22 


and winners ‘‘Precipitate’’ and ‘‘Gohanna.’’ Mare No. 2 (Hap- 
hazzard. Dam, daughter of Tantrum). In addition to these im- 
portations the ‘‘ Records of the Cape Colony’’ No. 416 mentions that 
36 more horses of the same description were imported either by 
private individuals or horse agents. Fuller details, however, are 
not obtainable. 

The colonists were so pleased and satisfied with Sir Charles’ 
good idea to use the Thoroughbred as a sire for the ennobling of the 
country-bred horses that the importation of good stallions was con- 
tinued, and the decade 1820-30 brought such notables to our shores: 

1. Skipper (Scud). 2. Scippio (Filho da Puta—great grand- 
sire of Gaines’ Denmark 1850, the founder of the Kentucky Saddle 
horse).** 3. Battledore (Sir Oliver). These were followed in 
1830-40 by 1. Protector (Defence). 2. O’Connell (Young Emi- 
hus). 38. Rococo (Cetus). 4. Lindley (Banker). 5. Humpfrey 
(Filho da Puta). 6. Squirrel (Cain), ete. Most of these horses 
were bought at a price which was then considered very high, and 
seldom paid thirty years later. 

During the decade 1840-50 the government of the Cape of 
Good Hope imported several stallions which had stood at stud in 
England, and could show progeny that became famous on the race 
course and in their turn sired many great winners, and are to this 
day in the pedigree of the famous winners. They were: 

1. Tally-Ho (KEmilus—Merlin—Misrule). 2. Gorhambury 
(Buzzard—W oodpecker—Herod. Dam, Brocard—Whalebone— 
Darley—Arabian). 3. Orion (Bay Middleton—Silvertail—Gohan- 
na—Herod). 4. Ruff (Jerry). 5. Flytrap (Bay Middleton. 6. 
Moscow (Muley Maloch). 7. Middleman (Muley Maloch). 8. 
Peter the Hermit (Gladiator). 9. Evenus (Alpheus—De Poca: 
hontas), ete. Middleman won the Liverpool and St. Leger. Ev- 
enus won the Royal Hunt Cup and Cambridgshire Races, as the prop- 
erty of Earl of Stradbroke. All others mentioned were noted win- 
ners. Besides these stallions there were also imported during this 
famous decade—the roll of which may be set down as the best of all 
time—some younger stallions. Among them the following shine 
out: 

1. Sponge (Apmeck—sire of Express, a great winner). 2 
Winchelsea. 3. Fancy Bay. 4. Hleusis. 5. Sir Lancelot, 6. 


(47) Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. IIT. 


23 


Branble, ete. Several mares were also imported amongst which are 
especially to be mentioned : 

1. Posthaste (Colonel). 2. Georgian (Buzzard—Byerly Turk. 
Variety — Selim — Herod). 3. Taffrail (Streetanchor. Dam, 
daughter of Whisker—Darley Arabian). The last two mentioned 
mares were covered by Sir. Hercules (Helipse) the sire of Bird- 
catcher, and to him Georgian dropped on her arrival at the Cape 
Sir Hercules—a famous sire and one of the founders of the Hantam 
type of Cape Horse. 

1850-60. Quality slither not quite up to that imported in 
the preceding decade was still commendable. Among the best are 
to be mentioned: — 

1. Pantomine (Pantaloon). 2. Lammermoor. 3. Cocker- 
mouth. 4. Mr. Martin (Lancelot). Mr. Martin is described in the 
“Sporting Magazine’’ the recognized authority of its day as one of 
the handsomest horses England ever produced. 5. Cornboro (Flat- 
catcher). 6. Mayor of Hull (Sharon Buidhe). 7. Wrestler (Or- 
lando—KEclipse). 8. Barkley (Teddington—Kclipse). 9. Sylvan 
(The Saddler). 10. Early Morn (Chanticleer). 11. Wentworth © 
(Bay Middleton). 12. Mortimer (Fitz Allen. Mortimer was the 
first thoroughbred imported to the province of Natal in 1860.) 

The mares imported during this period were: 

1. Meliora (Melbourne—Godolphin Barb). 2. Georgie (Or- 
lando). 3. Idollette (Storm). 4. Hebe (Herbilist). It was dur- 
ing this decade that the Cape Horse may be said to have reached its 
highest state of perfection. The Indian authorities had appointed 
a resident Commissioner at the Cape for the purpose of purchasing 
suitable horses for remounts and thousands of horses were shipped 
to the different parts of India. The decade 1860-70 brought the 
largest number of horses to our shores, the most prominent being: 

1. Bonnie Morn, by Chanticleer. 2. Nothing More, by Hospo- 
dor. .3 Commissioner, by Orest. 4. King William, by Poynta. 5. 
Naughty Boy, by Idle Boy. 6. Newsmonger, by Newminister. 7. 
Nugget, by West Australian. 8. Tormentor, by Wild Daywell. 9. 
Sir Amyas Leigh, by Adventurer, ete. 

So great has been the success of these importations that in the 
following: decade it was the desire of almost every farmer to possess 
imported stallions. This drew the attention of certain unscrupulous 
speculators and in consequence numbers of the sorriest rips that 


24 


ever escaped the knocker were imported. Advantage was taken of 
the ignorance of some farmers of the true qualities of Thorough- 
breds, meaning that small heads, pointed ears and peacocky car- 
riage were by preference the points of a ‘‘blood horse,’’ the specu- 
lators consequently delivered such specimens with an utter disre. 
gard of bone and conformation. From the Racing Calendar of 
1885 we find that from 1870 up to 1885 several hundred animals of 
this class found their way of destruction to many an inland stud of 
good formation stock. ‘‘The Enelish blood stock sale returns show 
that the majority of these imported and publicly sold did not rea- 
lize more than 25 guineas—the range as a rule being from 3—25 
guineas. An instance is on record of a horse purchased at public 
auction (Tattersall’s) in England for five guineas, and sold at the 
Cape for 500 pounds sterling.’’** 

Independent, however, of the speculator type of Thoroughbred, 
several good horses were imported and those deserving special at- 
tention were: Belladrum, Champagne Charlie, Buxton, Erl Konig, 
Moorfoot, Elf King, Sir Marmaduke, Plunger, Student, Catalpa, 
St. Augustine, Sportsman, Fire King and Wackum. 

Out of this number of imported thoroughbreds some ninety 
judged by their capabilities, conformation, pedigree and progeny 
deserve special recognition. Most of them were sold to the farmers 
at an average price of 400 pounds and several stood at stud at the 
eovernment farms.*® 

With these data of importations we have come up to the thresh- 
old of modern times. By the importation of the above mentioned 
“blood weeds’’ and their subsequent deteriorating effects on the 
original stock the lucrative trade in remounts with India was for- 
feited and destroyed. With the upcoming of the fast developing 
wool, mohair and ostrich feather industries, the gold and diamond 
mines, the chapter in the history of successful horse breeding in 
South Africa comes to a close. The palmy days of the middle of 
the last century have set without the dawn of a bright to-morrow. 
A great national loss that is increasing, has up to the present not 
been remedied although there is nothing except perhaps more intel- 
(48) Grey Rattray Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, Vol. VIII. 


(49) D. Hutcheon M. hk. C. V. S, Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good 
Hope. Vol. VI. 


These journals were mainly consulted for information on the above men- 
tioned importations Vol. I—XX XIV. (1888-1910.) 


29 


ligent selection, better management and some good sense and whole- 
some enterprise, to prevent us from achieving again what was once 
a source of national wealth and of great economical value. 


(b) DEVELOPMENT. 


In tracing the development of horse-breeding in South Africa 
it is necessary to bear in mind the various phases the development of 
the country itself passed through. Generally each Colony more or 
less passes through these stages: 

(1) The pastoral, when the wealth of the land is in cattle, 
sheep and horses, ranging over practically unlimited lands. 

(II) The argicultural, when the land is divided up into defi- 
nite and smaller areas. 

(IIi) Lastly, the mining and manufacturing age, when town 
populations grow quickly and wealth is not expressed in terms of 
flocks and herds nor in crops and orchards but in gold and bills of 
exchange.”° 

All these stages which can easily be traced in the development 
of the Union and its various provinces naturally effected the horse 
and its breeding in many ways. Although South Africa has passed 
through these various stages, still it was not in too marked a degree 
and we still find the three stages fairly weli in existence side by side. 

The pastoral phase certainly covers a longer period than the 
rest. For over two centuries (1650-1870) the pastoral life ruled 
supreme, and all wealth consisted of flocks of sheep and herds of 
cattle and horses roaming over practically endless pastures. Even 
to-day with only one and a half million whites; scattered over 
450,000 sq. miles of territory (excluding natives and their terri- 
tories) the conditions are largely pastoral and additional feeding 
and other scientific methods in farming are still in their infancy. 

The methods adopted in horse-breeding were simple and nat- 
ural and were adapted to produce a hardy, useful animal at a mini- 
mum cost of food and labor. The horses liked the half wild life 
and natural selection was able to do its work in eliminating the 
weakly animals from the troop. In more thickly settled countries 
horses are valuable and weaklings are allowed to live and breed on. 
In a pastoral country the economic value of stock is low; drought, 
cold and scarcity of food, the tests of warfare and hunting calling 


(50) Sir Humphrey de Trafford ‘‘The Horse of the British Empire.’’ 1907. 


26 


forth great streneth, endurance and stamina, weed out the weakly 
ones and only the fittest survive for a foundation stock on which to 
eraft any qualities we desire. 

The public sale of horses in 1665 markes the year when horse- 
breeding was taken up by farmers as part of their agricultural 
pursuits. The animals were small yet efficient enough to supply 
all their needs in ploughing, transport and military exploits. The 
Commandos (light cavalry) then formed, played a great part in all 
their warfare and developed to world-wide fame during the last war 
when British troops ‘‘with double teams could not keep up with the 
boer commandos.’’*! With the exception of a few ‘‘fine stallions’’ 
(schone hengsten) among the early imporations further breeding 
was carried on by selecting the most efficient young stallions re- 
gardless of beauty of form, making the highest amount of good 
qualities the qualification for selection. In 1689 the year Byerly 
Turk first attracted attention to the breeding from Oriental sires 
in England, fresh blood was introduced by the importation of sev- 
eral stallions from Persia; this was a wise step for the ‘‘breed of 
horses has deteriorated very much in size.’’>? 

At the end of the 17th century horse-breeding was firmly estab- 
lished and the farmers complimented themselves on possessing an 
animal of ‘‘general utility,’’ hardy, self-supporting and of good 
constitution and temperament. The settlement counted about 1000 
souls, and owned 261 horses, 4189 cattle, 48,960 sheep; while the 
company possessed 140 horses, 1164 cattle and 9218 sheep on their 
farms.°® 

In the following century rapid strides were made into the in- 
terior. New and extensive pastures were found beyond the first 
mountain ranges and the foundations of the great pastural com- 
munity with larger flocks were laid. Except a probable importa- 
tion of a horse or two by the returning fleets, the breed of horses 
received no additional foreign blood for the better part of a cen- 
tury. During those eventful days amid hosts of barbarians and 
wild animals the best that was in horseflesh was appealed to, and 
this established a foundation stock that would yield wonderful re- 
sults when mated with animals that could make up such qualities 


(51) R. Bromley—Speaking of 30 years’ experience in Ag. Jour. of Cape Col- 
ony Vol. XX XITI. 

(52) Archieves of Cape of Good Hope 1652-1795. 

(53) George McCall Theal. History of South Africa 1652-1795. 


27 


as height and conformation of form which have been lost in sight 
of in the demand for general efficiency. 

During the years of peace the horses were allowed to run night 
and day in a natural state; the loss of an occasional foal through 
the attacks of wild animals was of minor importance; but the 
thefts by bushmen was a great torment. During the decades 1710- 
30 a continual warfare was kept up against these marauding and 
migratory hordes; thousands of cattle, sheep and horses were ear- 
ried away into mountain fastnesses.°* Cory has found that during 
the ten years (1785-95) 309 horses were killed and 309 taken away, 
along with thousands of cattle and sheep.®® It may incidentally be 
mentioned here that these horses were probably later taken from 
these hordes by the Zulu nation who in their turn waged war on these 
tribes and that they ultimately gave rise to the famous ‘‘Basuto 
Pony.”’ 

The plains of the Karroo with its dry air and rolling plains 
of grass on rich soils with a fair percentage of lime were very 
adaptable to successful horse-breeding, and large troops often 
consisting of over 300 mares were quite frequent.°®> In 1719, 
however, this natural paradise of the horse was rudely disturbed by 
the appearance of a deadly epizootic disease, which carried off 1700 
animals within a couple of months. This disease, which is not 
quite subdued to-day, is known as ‘‘ Horse-sickness’’ and is caused 
by mosquito bites. In 1763 it claimed another 2500. At that time 
it was found that if the horses were kept on a certain altitude dur- 
ing the autumn months of April and May the majority of the ani- 
mals could be saved. After the first frosts have fallen the danger 
1S Over. 

In 1769 several recruiting officers in the Indian army, however, 
found a sufficient number fit for cavalry purposes. Nothing could 
be ascertained about the quality and size of these horses; but the 
fact that South Africa became since then a recruiting field of re- 
mounts for the Indian Army proves that these horses have not cut 
too sorry a figure among the horses from Persia and Arabia. In 
1782 the first English stallions were imported, and were followed 
in the same year by five stud horses from Boston, United States of 
America. Most of these found their way to the studs in the north- 


(54) George McCall Theal ‘‘ History of South Africa’’ 1652-1795. 
(55) G. HE. Cory ‘“ The Rise of South Africa’’ 1918. Vol. I1- 
(56) Heinreich Litchtenstein. ‘* Reisen in Sudlichen Afrika. Berlin 1811. 


28 


ern districts and helped to swell the fame of the ‘‘Hantam’”’ type of 
horses, throughout the land. 

In a letter from General Craig to H. E. Lord Dundas dated 
October 31st, 1796 we learn that the price paid for 200 remounts 
averaged 80 rix dollars, while 100 rix dollars was paid for horses 
of better quality. Some months later the price had risen 120 rix 
dollars and even 150.°7 The census returns of 1798 records the pop- 
ulation as consisting of 21,764 whites or 61,447 including colored 
servants and slaves. They possessed 47,436 horses, 251,206 cattle 
and 1,448,536 sheep. The boundaries of the Colony enclosed some 
120.000 square miles of excellent pasture and arrable land.”* 

The increasing demand for remounts in India is a sure proof 
that the horse material has improved considerably during the cen- 
tury. They certainly have increased in size judging from Licht- 
enstein’s account already mentioned of the stud in the Hantam dis- 
trict of over 300 stud horses of greater size and better conformation - 
than those of the other districts, more south. He mentions that 
they were bred from the best English and Arab sires. This, and 
the fact that horses were imported from Persia in 1689, as well as 
Litchtenstein’s mentioning of an Arab stallion at another large 
stud costing its owner over 3000 ‘“‘thaler’’ proves that more stal- 
lions from Arabia and Persia were imported after 1689 and before 
1782. In 1799 McCall Theal remarks in his ‘‘ History of South 
Africa”’ that ‘‘a fairly good horse for either the saddle or the trace 
was now common and there was a healthy spirit of competition and 
rivalry—especially among the young men as to who shall have the 
best * * * * * anything tending to improve horses and cattle was 
met with general approbation.’’ 

With a foundation stock sound in limb, bone and constitution, 
with the hardiness, endurance and stamina of two centuries handed 
down to them, the intelligent horse-breeder could have accomplished 
much in the 19th century when some of the best English ‘‘blood 
horses’? were imported; and what they have achieved makes the 
regret of the loss of it all the keener. 

The 18th century opened with the capture of certain Spanish 
stallions on board a hostile vessel.°®? They must have been of high 
(57) Archieves of the Cape of Good Hope (one rixdollar equals 4 shillings or 

approximately 1 dollar United States money.) 


(58) Sir James Barrow ‘‘ Travels in South Africa’’ 1797-98. 
(59) George McCall Theal ‘‘ History of South Africa after 1795.’’ Vol. I. 


29 


breeding for with Cape mares they bred true to the type and hun- 
dreds of their progeny were found all over the Colony within half 
a century and were known as ‘‘Cape Greys’’ during the end of the 
last century. 

Individual efforts were made to improve the stocks of cattle, 
horses and sheep; the government lent aid to these endeavorers but 
nothing officially was done. In 1800 the first ‘‘Society for the en- 
couragement of agriculture, arts and sciences was caused to be es- 
tablished; but beyond talking this society did nothing.’’*° The 
society was, however, amply supplied with cattle, horses and slaves, 
but somehow all turned out a failure. In 1804, another attempt 
was made with greater success; 25,30914 acres of government land 
was alloted to the Board of Agriculture, which was for the first 
time added to the government. A number of the best breeds of 
cows were purchased and a pure bred bull from Europe as well as 
another of the same breed, given as a present were added. <A small 
flock of the first Merino sheep at the Cape with a majority of rams 
and some Hantam mares improved by crosses with imported Eng- 
lish horses were also purchased and Mr. van Reyneveld who owned 
a handsome stallion allowed the use of it gratis. Government Farms 
—it would be more correct to call them ‘‘Stud Farms’’—were 
erected at several suitable places.** 

In the Cape Gazette of 1823 we find that at such and such a 
stud farm, English stallions stood at stud for 6 rix dollars per mare. 
At the Grote Post farm, stood: 

Walton (4 yrs.) (Walton-Musidora) bred by H. R. H. Duke 
of York. ; . 

Vanguard (6 yrs.) (Haphazard) bred by Duke of Grafton. 
Vanguard won the King’s Plate at Winchester, 1820, beating Hu- 
phrates and Merryweather, both great winners. 

The records of the Cape Colony for the year 1823 remarks that 
‘‘Mr. van Reenen the former proprietor of the estates at the Han- 
tam, had under the Dutch government paid much attention to his 
breed of horses and had increased their number as well as their 
value.’’ He sold to Mr. Louw 10 mares for £1126.15, and 1100 
sheep for £563.8. 

The van Reenen Bros. are frequently met with in writings and 


(60) George McCall Theal ‘* History of Sowth Africa after 1795.’’ Vol. I. 
(61) Records of the Cape Colony. Vol. XV. e 


30 


accounts of agricultural pursuits in South Africa during the 18th 
century. They owned large studs each from 300-400 horses in 
the best grazing districts (Malmesbury and North Cape Colony— 
New and Old Hantam—Calvinia, Hanover and Colesberg.)°* Their 
exertions have undoubtedly done much for the ennobling of the 
breed of horses in the Colony, and especially of the Hantam type to 
which almost all the farmers turned for their stallions. 

During the first half of the 18th century there was a steady 
influx of Thoroughbred blood. The imported stallions were sold to 
the best breeders or buyers. Many of the best found their way to 
the Hantam studs and its old reputation was kept up and the stand- 
ard highly improved. A certain farmer rode 400 miles on horse- 
back with a saddlebag full of money to buy Turpin.” 

Considerable improvement has been made in the development 
of horse-breeding since the importation of Thoroughbred stallions 
as has been proved by numerous letters in reply to a cireular sent 
out by Lord Charles Somerset to those farmers who bought of the 
horses imported. 

To get an idea of this great impetus the breed of horses received 
it would be necessary to pursue some of these replies to the gover- 
nor’s circular asking what effect the using of Thoroughbreds as 
sires has had on their studs and in their incomes. 

Letters from Mr. D. van Reenen to Capt. Hare Aid-de-camp 

to H. E. the Governor, dated Sept, 28, 1825.%* 
‘‘Sir :—In answer to your inquiry made by desire of H. E., the Gov- 
ernor whether the breeding of horses has been a profitable specu- 
lation to my father since the purchase of English stallions. I have 
the honor to inform you that my family were known to have been 
the first breeders of horses in the Colony and consequently likely 
to pursue the best methods. 

About nine years ago we thought it expedient to purchase two 
English stallions since when our annual profit from breeding horses 
has been two-thirds greater, a proof of the benefit derived by the 
introduction of English blood stallions. Allow me to inform you 
that horse-breeding is now a more lucrative employment than any 
other description of agriculture * * * * * * ‘The following 
extract from my books will serve to verify my assertion. 

(62) Litchtenstein—George McCall Theal—Records of C. C., ete: 


(63) D. Hutcheon M. Rk. C.V.S8.%in Agr. Journ. of C. C. Vol. XX XIII. 
(64) Records of the Cape Colony Vol. XVII. 


dl 


“£1824. Sold 6 horses for 4000 Rixdollars. 
2 horses for 1700 Rixdollars 
1 horse for 850 Rixdollars 
1 horse for 800 Rixdollars 
2 horses for 1800 Rixdollars 
21 horses for 5250 Rixdollars 
36 horses for 14400 Rixdollars 

The amount of 36 horses previous to introduction of the Eng- 
lish blood stallions=5400 Rixdollars.’’ (1 Rixdollar= one shilling 
and sixpence). 

William Proctor writes :—‘‘I purchased 8 thoroughbred mares 
for £2500 also 3 thoroughbred stallions for £350, £400 and 4500 
Rixdollars. My profits in horse-breedinf amounted to 100,000 Rix- 
dollars and my profit from Yaffil (4500 Rds.) alone exceeded 29,000 
Rixdollars independent to my having 20 Thoroughbred fillies got 
by him out of my English mares. I have a colt from Yaffil for 
which I frequently refused 3500 rixdollars.’’ 

To Lord Charles is due the honor for opening up and develop- 
ing this valuable branch of our farming. In 1816 he writes to the 
Earl of Bathurst: ‘‘Next to the export of wine I conceive the soil 
most calculated for the export of horses and were a market once 
rendered it might in a few years be carried to an extent quite un- 
limited.’’®° In the meantime he exerted himself in encouraging 
horse-breeding in the Colony and in finding a good market. In 
the following year he could write to the Secretary of State that he 
is ‘‘on the eve of closing a bargain to export annually 460 horses for 
the Madras calvary exclusive of a proportion better horses for the 
officers. This (as the freight will be paid here) will bring, I eal- 
culate, about £24,000 per annum into the Colony for an article of 
which, till I came, there was no export.’’®® 

Lord Charles once having grasped the situation took the lead 
himself and finaneed the first batch of 84 Thoroughbreds from Eng- 
land and although he lost heavily, as will be shown, he persevered 
until he left the land where every horse-breeder will remember him 
with gratitude and admiration. 

Of the 34 horses imported 11 died at sea, 2 died after landing, 
he gave one to Mr. Cloete, one remained unsold and 19 were sold for 


(65) Records of Cape Colony, Vol. XVII. 1816. 
(66) Records of Cape Colony, Vol. XVII. 1816. 


Qc 
3a 


£8051.5; thus losing one the whole transaction £5548.15.°° This 
did in no wise discourage him as was shown in the previous part 
of this chapter things progressed rapidly and the breeding from 
Thoroughbreds as sires became predominant. Another incidence 
that gave Lord Charles’ India Trade a great impetus was that dur- 
ing this time a number of Indian Nabobs flocked to the Cape, then 
highly esteemed as a health resort. ‘‘The Cape horse was sufficient- 
ly attractive to draw their attention and the Nabobs, lavish in dis- 
pensing the golden mohurs, paid very high prices and took many 
horses back as chargers and hacks, they being the best of their class 
and able to stand the trying Indian climate better than the English 
Thoroughbred, they soon attracted the attention of the Indian Gov- 
ernment authorities to the advantages of the Cape as a field for pro- | 
curing remounts from. With what results we have already shown 
and may add that 5482 horses and 198 mules to the vaitue of £215,645 
were bought in South Africa for the various campaigns in the In- 
dian Mutiny.’’®* 

At this time 1810, Australia also imported her first horses from 
South Africa and became indebted to that country for the first 
horses that ever trod her soil. The animals, according to a contem- 
porary writer in Australia, appear to have been obtained without 
selection and to have been poor specimens.®? In an enclosure in 
one of Lord Charles’ letters it is stated that ‘‘Capt. Thomas took 
out 28 horses to Australia in 1826 and lost 14.’ The Captain cer- 
tainly made a good selection as at this period “‘a vast improvement 
has been affected in the general quality of the Cape Horse.’’’° 

Thus began an industry in Australa that in 1860 perfectly 
outranged the South African trade in remounts for India and has 
kept the lead ever since, pocketing the larger part of one and a 
quarter million pounds sterling annually. 

Another factor that has done much in the development of horse- 
breeding is racing. More fully will be dwelt on this phase of the 
industry in its particular character. It may, however, be remarked 
that with the Thoroughbred came also that grandest and best of tests 
for stamina, quality of bone and tendon, constitution and tempera- 
ment—the race course. 


(67) Records of Cape Colony, Vol. XVII. 1816. 

(68) Lt. Cal. Apperley. Cape Conthly, Vol VII. 

(69) Athuson 1824 by Grey Rattray in Agricultural Journal of the Union of 
South Africa, Vol VIII. 

(70) Records of the Cape Colony 1826. 


oo 


From the various accounts is established that the South African 
bred Thoroughbred and even half-bred could hold his own to many 
of the imported horses. Campfire in the 8rd generation, through 
Stockwell’s stock by Blair Athol proved that the South African 
Thoroughbred is equal in every way to the Thoroughbred of Eng- 
land. He distinguished himself greatly in England in 1904, and 
now stands there at stud.”? 

A large amount of runners and winners on the South African 
Turf hailed from the Hantam districts and in every way proved 
their efficiency also on the race course. Some of the young horses 
entered were taken from the veld, and with indifferent training were 
sent on the course, not so much for the gaining of the prizes but 
for the sport and ‘‘to teach and harden them and test their merit’’ 
as the farmers would say. 

Often these veld-hardened colts would get the better of the 
trained horses of the towns. 

From a casual observer in “‘ Life at the Cape’’ (by a lady 1862) 
the following remarks are recorded: ‘‘The racing was compara- 
tively poor, the horses slight and few in number and not partieu- 
larly well trained—but, what astonished us was to see a rough little 
shooting pony called ‘‘Gazelle’’ carry off the Queen’s Plate from a 
noble English horse and this in spite of the very fine riding of an 
old English jockey against a weazened little Hottentot.’’ Instances 
of this kind may be multiplied. 

During the years 1835-39 something happened that upset the 
agricultural as well as the administrative affairs of the Colony to 
a great extent; but at the same time opened up new lands in the 
unknown interior and resulted in filling new pastures with large 
flocks of sheep, cattle and horses. Owing to the foolish and in- 
consistent acts of the Home government thousands of farmers, whose 
continued appeals for redress in gross mismanagement, oppressive 
rules and acts of injustice were ignored, left their farms and home- 
steads and joined in the great ‘‘Trek’’ over the borders of the Col- 
ony. Statistics are very unreliable as to the numbers, for there were 
many groups on different routes; the number is estimated at 8000- 
10000.7* For about twenty years they continually moved about. 
Several small republics were established and periods of several 


(71) Charles Southey. Natal Agr. Jour. Vol XV.—1910. 
(72) George McCall Theal —History of South Africa After 1795 


34 


years of peace in between were generally followed with great suc- 
cess in horse-breeding and raising of stock. Horse-breeding, owing 
to their continuous moving, hunting and fighting was given great 
attention and Remount officers for the Indian Army found in 1854 
many good specimens beyond the Orange river.” 

These horses are described as large and fine. For fresh blood 
the farmers depended on the large studs of the Hantam. The 
studs of the van Zyl’s, Theunissen’s, Louw’s, Robertson’s and 
others were very famous. Thoroughbred stallions bought from the 
Government were sold to the Orange Free State farmers and so 
keen have they been to possess them that farmers in the Colony 
were prohibited to sell any imported stallions to the Orange Free 
State farmers before the period of two years after they have pos- 
sessed them has expired. 

The Hantam studs at that period possessed very good quality. 
Amongst others were such worthies as Sir Hereules imported in 
utero and true son of the Great Irish horse of the same name, Sor- 
cerer, War Hagle, Evenus, Turpin, Sir Amyas Leigh and Cham- 
pagne Charlie. Damascus (Arab) by brood mares of 84 thorough- 
bred blood made Mr. van Zyl famous as a successful breeder of race 
horses. The mare Witkous by Damascus bred to Express the fol- 
lowing winners: Sir Reuben, Prince Alexis, Good Hope, Rob Roy, 
Hantam Belle and Bonnie Lassie dam of the winners and breeders 
Hardeash and Prosecutor. ‘‘These were all good winners and 
could stay forever. All these along with Pearl Diver and many 
more produced progemy that could be on a par with those of any 
other country.’’"* 

In those days the great breeders were determined to have the 
best and paid up to £600 (8000 dollars) and more for good stal- 
lions, Thoroughbreds, with plenty of bone, great size and good rec- 
ord. With sires of this class and the veld everything to be desired 
it is no wonder that good animals were bred.”° 

The various means of conveyance and transportation with the 
attendant effect on horse-breeding deserve a few remarks. 

One of the first undertakings of every colonising settlement is 


the creation of an efficient system of transportation and means of 
(73) Blue Books of 1858. Papers Relating to Purchase of Rorses at the Cape 
of Good Hope for Cavalry and Artillery Service in the Colony and India. 


(74) The Agri. Journal of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 
(75) The Agri. Journal of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 


30 


travelling, and in this South Africa has gradually accomplished a 
great deal. 

The first colonists found with the natives the pack-ox as the 
only beast of burden, especially selected ones were also used for 
riding and racing. 

The Boers introduced the ancient germanic traveling wagon, 
with which their ancestors—the Climbers and Teutons crossed the 
Roman boundaries.‘° This cumbrous and unwieldy wagon was a 
real treasure to the sturdy pioneer of old, it did a three fold duty of 
home, conveyance and fort. It was drawn by 8 to 10 pairs of oxen 
and how the formidable mountain passes were crossed with such 
transport remains the wonder and admiration of all who behold 
the ancient tracks across the mountain sides. For about two cen- 
turies the ox-wagon has been the chief mode of conveyance and has 
identified itself so much with the nation’s history that it was given 
a place of honor in the coat-of-arms of both the old republics. 

Good roads were first made in 1844,77 and were soon followed 
by bridges and mountain passes at great costs. ‘To-day the Union 
is threaded with a network of excellent roads. 

As the settlement increased and spread out, other means of 
transport and locomotion were called for, and it is this necessity 
that has largely caused the production of the Cape Horse and its 
unequaled qualities and capabilities as a riding horse. Outlying 
districts like Graaf-Reinct, Calvinia, Hantam and Swellendam some 
300-400 miles from Cape Town all required more seisous communi- 
cation to be done on horse-back. This called for sturdy horses 
with great endurance and stamina and with continual hunting ex- 
peditions and frequent wars these qualities were perfected. 

During the middle of the 18th century, owing to better roads 
and greater safety of life and property, the ‘‘ Horse wagon’’ made 
its appearance. Burchell travelling in South Africa in 1822 in 
describing a Race meeting he attended makes the following remarks 
on the equipages: ** Vehicles of every description from the elegant 
built London carriage of the Governor and the antiquated Dutch 
ealash and the light jolting ‘paarde-wagen’ are seen about * * * * 
the ‘paarde-wagen’ is a hight waggon drawn by 6 or 8 horses and 
used more frequently for the conveyance of persons than for the 


(76) H. Kloessel. ‘* Die Sudafrikanische Republiek.’’ Leipzig 1890. 
(77) Robert Wallace. Farming Industries of the Cape colony 1916. 


36 


earrying of loads, which are left for the ‘ossewagen’. The paarde- 
wagen is in fact the colonists waggon of pleasure.’’** A few re- 
marks from a contemporaneous English writer on the efficiency of 
this part of horse breeding would not be out of place here. Remark- 
ing on the driving and teams he writes that ‘‘The Four-in-hand Club 
must not assume to itself the least precedency. They are compar- 
atively children in the profession and would shrink before a boer, 
who in an instant would get his team in hand and trotting them in 
various directions with the greatest dexterity and completeness * * * 
In truth, nothing would surprise an English coachman more. than 
the sight and action of the pleasure waggon of a boer with its usual 
appointments in spirited horses, driver, and well-painted waggon.’’”? 

Lichtenstein also very graphically describes pleasure trips in 
such wagons and praises the dexterity and skill of the average 
driver as far above anything he has seen and known in Europe. 
More recently Sir James Bryce in his ‘‘Impressions of South Af- 
rica’’ also amongst others expressed himself with admiration on the 
excellent equipages and the splendid driving be it in the city or the 
country. 

The horse-wagon was followed and ultimately superceded by 
the Cape cart, a perfectly home made article used both as a means 
of speedy travelling and as a carriage of pleasure. The Cape cart 
and its pair is a great factor in the maintenance of the efficiency of 
of our horses. However poor a small farmer may be he will not 
consider himself of any standing unless he is the proud possessor 
of an excellent pair of certain pedigree,—generally a certain breed- 
er’s name supply this. The possession of an excellent riding horse 
and a shooting pony is a sine qua non in the farming equipment of 
even the smallest farmer. 

The Cape cart holds its own, even against the ever increasing 
motor traffic, for in a sum total of pleasure, convenience, and ele- 
gance it would be hard to find any conveyance to beat the Cape cart 
and a well trained and selected pair. The good horse, wisely with- 
drawn from hopeless competition and kept within proper spheres 
of activity, which are plentiful in South Africa, need have no fear 
of total defeat. 

The periodic visitations of ‘‘Horse Sickness’’ seemed to have 
(78) William Burchell ‘‘ Travels in the Interior of South Africa.’’ 1822. 


(79) William Wilberforce ‘‘ State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822. London 
1823. WoO 


37 


increased with the number of horses, perhaps owing to the large 
number owned by individual farmers less care was accorded the 
troop than when good horses were scarcer. Towards the middle of 
the last century about the fourth of the total number of horses were 
swept away. It is quite obvious that these losses worked very dis; 
couragingly on horse breeders. A period of indifference in the 
matter of horse breeding set in. Merino sheep and Angora goat 
farming and subsequently Ostrich farming absorbed much attention 
and were more remunerative than horse breeding. The trade with 
India in remounts was lost to Australia and for the remaining part 
of the century the horse material was gradually deteriorating and 
the industry declined. 


(c) DECLINE. 


On no particular phase of the history of horse breeding has so 
much been written in South Africa as on its deterioration and the 
methods to be followed in order to regain the old standard and high 
reputation. There are some very voluminous Bluebooks* that 
should be carefully perused by every horse breeder in the Union. 
They are those containing the ‘‘ Papers relating to the purchase of 
horses at the Cape of Good Hope for cavalry and artillery service 
in the Colony and India’’ and ‘‘ Additional Papers relating to the 
supply of remounts for the British Army in India.’’ These highly 
interesting Papers are spiced with numerous Reports of Select Com- 

mittees and Appendices dealing with the most important aspects of 
' the Industry. The best ones date back to the year 1875 and up to 
the year 1898; the years when horse breeding was rapidly declining. 

The perusal of a bona fide Bluebook is certainly not a pleasant 
affair, one struggles through it and often comes away from it not 
much the wiser and probably a sadder man; but many a good lesson 
and warning of the past can be obtained from these Bluebooks. 

It is gathered from these and other sources that the decline of 
horse breeding can be ascribed to several great causes; some cer- 
tainly were beyond the control of the farmers, but others reflect 
much to their discredit. 

One of the chief causes of deterioration may be attributed to 
(81) The official Notes, Proceedings and Reports to Parliament are printed in 


quarter volumes and kept in the Parliament Archives. Copies are also 
kept at the High Commissioner’s Office in London. 


38 


the breeding from inferior stallions. Since 1860 there has been a 
desire to breed from Thoroughbreds only. Unfortunately the stand- 
ard of earlier breeders was lost sight of; a fashionable pedigree 
was insisted upon with utter disregard of bone, power and other 
desirable qualities; all was sacrificed for blood and a very inferior 
animal was obtained, which was fittingly branded by the more in- 
telligent breeders as ‘‘blood weeds.’’ 

In the company they met with at the Cape these “‘blood weeds’’ 
had some success on the race course and were sought for as breeders 
and in this way they spread their harmful influences far and wide 
over the land. Their offspring could not stand the tear and wear 
of the veld conditions so well as those of the sires of previous gen- 
erations, in which plenty of bone, girth, size and good conformation 
had to be on a par with good pedigree and race course record in 
order to be eligible for breeders. The progeny of these peacocky 
and weedy sires soon convinced the farmers of their illusions and 
a great attempt was made to rectify their blunders. 

A select Committee of the best breeders was appointed to in- 
vestigate matters. The various possible causes for the deterioration 
of the breed were investigated and it was found that want of size 
was the most common failure and general complaint of the remount 
officers in India. Any large breed of animals decreases in size, 
unless supplied with abundance of food and unless a stream of 
fresh blood of the best strain is infused into the original stock from 
time to time. The deterioration in size is more true of the progeny 
of half-bred sires than of pure-bred ones. 

The several breeds of horses, pure-breds as well as half-breds 
were considered with the view to select the best sore for the improve- 
ment of the fast declining breed. The average Cape mare has breed- 
ing enough and the half-breed sire does not breed true to type and 

the transmission of size, for which he will mainly be used will not 
be so permanent and reliable as is desired. The pure-breds that 
were considered the best were the Arab and the Thoroughbred and 
even the Arab although one of the best possible sires was put out of 
the field on the argument that after all it was not so much quality 
that was wanted but size and this he could not supply. 

The Thoroughbred was pointed out as the best sire. His bones 
are firmer and more compact in their texture, his muscles are of 
finer quality and comparatively greater power, his heart is larger 


39 


and nervous system, power of endurance much more highly de- 
veloped. The best type of Thoroughbred implies that the animal is 
possessed of superior qualities of every description and his power 
of transmitting these qualities to his offspring surpasses that of any 
other breed of horses. All these qualities combined with an excel- 
lent Turf record, good pedigree, great weight, and size—1514-16 
hands, would point out the sire required; but this ideal type is, 
even in England, a not too common one and they are often sold at 
prices beyond the dreams of averice; still a King’s premium horse 
will come as near to this type as possible and would cost at least 
£1000 to £2000 and since this is beyond the reach of the average 
farmer and can be supplied by the Government only to a limited 
extent, the Committee had to turn its attention to other breeds. Of 
the lighter pure-breds that came into consideration were the Cleve- 
lands and Hackneys. 

In the meantime the farmers showed the tendency of going to 
the opposite extreme, by introducing big cart-horse half-breds to 
their hght 34 bred Thoroughbred maress; the offspring was as could 
be expected unsymmetrical brutes, wanting in almost all the qual- 
ities that are essential in a good riding or carriage horse. 

The sire that was ultimately decided upon as the best first 
instalment was the Hackney; because he will tend to inerease the 
size, bone, and substance of the breeding stock. The offspring, 
when mated with a first class Thoroughbred, will produce an ex- 
cellent type of horse; for if the right kind of Thoroughbred can 
be obtained and paid for, he would be found equal in size and sub- 
stance to a great many of the best Hackneys and above all in such 
qualities as temperament, endurance and stamnia he stands pre- 
eminent. 

On the recommendation of this Committee the Government sent 
an experienced and responsible buyer to buy the desired type of 
Hackney. In 1888 eight very good Hackneys and one Norfolk 
Roadster were imported and placed at the several stud farms. The 
average price was £272 and the farmers made very good use of them. 
On the average each stallion covered 33 mares. Altogether the 
Government imported up to this date and since 1860 some 30 stal- 
lions, mostly Hackneys, and each year they served an increasing 
number of mares. 

At the same time there was a strong taste for Clevelands and 


40 


a goodly number were imported by private individuals and specu- 
jators; but this enterprise fell into the background almost un- 
noticed, and was kept up by very few breeders. 

The Hackneys found great favor with the farmers and breeders 
and the Government was persuaded to import another batch of 
selected stallions and requested that they should not be chestnuts 
and at least 16 hands high. The government promised to consider 
these points and Dr. Hutcheon, Chief Veterinary Surgeon was sent 
to England to buy Hackneys. It was difficult enough to get the 
proper type of sire and to get this type in fast colors was not an 
easy matter for the color of the breed is chestnut. The great breed- 
ers and sellers also locked upon the Government buyer as a good 
milch cow for they knew he had to get these horses within a certain 
time; yet Dr. Hutcheon managed to bring out 28 Hackneys all 
above 151% hands and with fast colors, at the average price of £232 
which was even lower than that of the previous year although the 
quality was in every respect as good. Since then Hackneys were 
great favorites with most of the great horse breeders in the Southern 
districts of the Cape Province. In 1891 the Government once more 
officially imported a batch of the best Hackney stallions. Cleveland 
Bays and Roadsters were given fair trials too; but their success 
has been variable and partial. 

In spite of these improvements the Indian Trade has slipped 
from our hands for good in favor of Australia where great care has 
been bestowed on horse-breeding since the first importations from 
the Cape in 1815 to 1825. Great studs also sprung up all over In- 
dia, which supplied some of the required remounts in quantity at 
least if not quality. The same can be said of the Australians which 
were thoroughly condemmed by several commanding officers as be- 
ing totally unfit for campaigning. 

As was frequent in those days in matters of trade the Indian 
Trade in remounts became enveloped in the underhand dealings 
of the middle man, who favored his own private ends at the expense 
of larger and more important communities. 

The results of these trade scandals are often quoted as the chief 
reason for the decline of horse-breeding in South Africa. Since 
they happened about the same time as the importation of worthless 
stallions they certainly added force to the rolling stone. 

The first horses for military service in India were exported in 


41 


1769 and ever since fresh supplies had been drawn from the Cape 
Colony. During the years 1840-60 Indian Army Authorities sta- 
tioned a recruiting officer in the Colony, who had to select and buy 
up such numbers as were required for service in India. Several of 
these men, Col. Apperley, Lt. Col. Richardson, Major Baker and 
others became intimately connected with all matters relating to 
horse-breeding in the Colony and easily managed with some exertion 
to send out horses that were selected by themselves and were quite 
fit for cavalry and artillery work. Their successors, however, lived 
in the cities and were contented to buy horses at exorbitant prices 
from numerous speculators—it is surprising to find what lot of 
harm these middle men, the speculators, have done to the industry ; 
they were perfect fiends and it is only to be hoped that the average 
farmer has taken his warning ; for of all trade mongers the unscrup- 
ulous horse dealer is certainly the worst. 

At this rate it is quite obvious that inferior animals were ob- 
tained for the Indian Army and this procedure had its bad effects 
both ways. 

Lt. Col. Bower in criticizing this method and approving of the 
sensible ways adopted by previous officers relates an incident he 
had when buying remounts, which will explain the farmer’s share 
in this bad business apart from his grevious mistake of breeding 
from inferior stallions; for their harmful effect could not have 
been too rapid in a stock which had a due proportion of the best 
Thoroughbred and Arab blood infused into their veins for the last 
two centuries. 

He had the good sense to select the horses himself and remarks 
that the ‘‘duty of a Remount agent at the Cape is an arduous one, 
he should be gifted with the leather of a post boy and the patience 
of Job.’’ In company of Major le Marchant they came across a 
farm where the farmer said he had no horses to sell; after they had 
off-saddled Bower asked to be shown over the stables and found 
‘‘ten uncanningly neat bay geldings.’’ On pressing for a sale ot 
these, the farmer repled: ‘‘Oh, these are my span (waggon team), 
and are not for sale.’’ The horses were subsequently trotted out 
and five were noted as fit for troopers. A second span was brought 
up from the veld and four were picked and after ‘‘some amount of 
coquettry nine good horses were added to the roll of the 7th, Dra- 
goon Guards.’’ 


42 


‘After this specimen of real or feigned indifference of a Cape 
boer (Dutch farmer) who is as wide-awake and coquettish as any 
Londoner, and with the speedy requirement of a regiment of heavies 
for immediate full service it is not to be wondered that remount 
officers have great difficulty in procuring remounts.’’** 

However, the work was done and within three and a half months 
from disembarkation the regiment was reported fit to take the field 
and that too with horses that excited the approbation of two suc- 
cessive commanding officers fresh from England. * * * In a letter 
from the Deputy Quartermaster General some time afterwards, he 
mentions among other duties performed by them; ‘‘a forced march 
of 240 miles in 11 days without a single casualty; the average 
weight of a dragoon being above 19 stone (266 lbs.). The horses 
were obtained for £24:10 to £26:10 each.’’** 

Several years later the harmful effects of the‘‘blood weeds’’ were 
beginning to tell and much greater care had to be taken to obtain 
good remounts; but instead of this, matters were left in the hands 
of the speculators who were also responsible for the selling at fab- 
alous prices the scrapings of Tattersall’s stables at London. 

Besides the importation of good sires for the improvement of 
the breed of horses, other methods were attempted in order to keep 
up as much as possible with the demands of the Indian market. 
These attempts were directed against the speculator type of re- 
mounts; but unfortunately they were so stringent and even unfair 
that it nipped all private enterprise in the bud. 

In order to stimulate the home industry as well as breeders at 
the Cape and Australia to produce the required type of remount, 
the Indian Authorities notified the Government at the Cape that in 
future horses will be bought for 575 rupees (£57 :10) (287 dollars) 
each, delivered at their several depots in India, after they have been 
passed by a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The 
owners or speculators standing all risks of aes and dis- 
embarkation. 

The Cape Government gave this notice, every publicity, and 
announced that ‘‘100 horses will be received by the Madras Gov- 
ernment every year until further notice.’’ It would be well to 
give the description of the horse that was required; because in some 


(82) India Sporting Review, August 1857. 
(83) India Sporting Review, August 1857. 


43 


measure it describes the Cape horse that reaped so much fame in the 
Indian campaigns. ‘‘The horses are required to be not less than 
nor more than 6 years old on delivery, and not under 1444 hands 
high. Each horse must be free from vice or blemish or any defect 
whatsoever, which may constitute unsoundness of wind, limb ox 
vision; to be of good constitution with free action, sufficient bone, 
general substance and symmetry to render him in every respect fit 
for artillery and European Dragoons; to be judged by a Committee 
of officers at Madras.’’** In short a perfect animal for £57 :10, ir- 
respective of all risks. 

Such a Government invitation has been in force for fourteen 
years and only met with one response. Out of 13 horses landed 
only 6 were passed by the Committee, whilst the importer had to 
bear the loss of 8 which died on the voyage.*° 

There is a large amount of proof of the unfairness, unscrup- 
ulous judging and even utter ignorance displayed by this Com- 
mittee as well as cthers of its kind twenty years earlier. 

In a letter to the Indian Sporting Review, 1858, Lt. Col. Bower 
writes that ‘‘the Cape farmers will never submit to the freaks of 
the India Remount Committee, for the blunders of such tribunals 
on all occasions of Cape horses being imspected are too notorious. 
Poor Havelock’s horses sent to Bombay in 1837-8 were disapproved 
of, yet they proved themselves hardy, and kept in good condition, 
perhaps better than others and took in addition to their own work a 
share with the Gulf Arabs in domg the work of the Bengal stud 
breeds which had to be lead. Again the Cape horses purchased by 
me in 1839, were condemned by a Committee in such terms as ex- 
posed me to censure of the Board of Directors; yet they earned 
for themselves such a reputation in the service which obliged the 
Madras Government so much that they retracted all their condemn- 
ing remarks.”’ » 

The same is to be said of Havelock’s condemned horses. Capt. 
Gall in a report to the Adjudant General at Madras, writes: ‘‘Out 
of the 44 horses purchased by the late Col. Havelock in 1887 and 
which were disapproved of at first sight and distributed amongst 
the Dragoons, Horse Artillery and Native Cavalry in the Bombay 
Presidency, no fewer than 37 were actually present in the ranks 
after having done eleven years of service. 


(84) Cape Monthly Vol. IV. 18858. 
(85) .Bluebooks of 1858. 


44 


Another very amusing blunder of these notorious tribunals is 
instanced by Col. Bower: ‘‘two horses in a certain batch were con- 
demned as ‘mad’, spavined in both hocks and absolutely unfit ;’’ 
these very two horses turned out to be, after the effects of their 
voyage had been overcome and their bruises healed, ‘‘the famous 
Sir Benjamin and Battledore with whose performance all India be- 
came familiar.’’ 

Let us listen to just one more authority on a question which at 
the same time shows to what kind of material the Cape remount 
was forced to give way and to realize all the better what South 
Africa has lost by her neglect of so efficient an animal. 

‘“‘Sir Walter Gilbey states on the authority of General Wheeler 
and others who had the opportunity of appreciating the evils of 
warfare in having guns horsed with brutes that could net be de- 
pended upon. ‘‘Hven the best of them (the Indian stud breeds and 
Australian Walers) are often too bad tempered and of insufficient 
substance that when they meet with any obstacle they cannot im- 
mediately surmount, they become sulky and will not renew the 
effort * * * * * in short had an annual draught of 500 horses from 
the Cape been established six years ago, as might have been done, 
great would by this time have been the saving of public money; for 
to whatever presidency the Cape horses would have been alloted, 
efficiency would have been proportionately improved especially in 
Bengal by getting rid of some of the rubbish. * * * * * * They 
were as bad in the Afghan war when ‘‘no description of horses im 
the artillery of Sir John Keene’s army so disgraced himself in the 
ranks as that on which the Indian Government studs have expended 
so much money to produce. The horses of these studs have been 
proved beyond all comparison, the most worthless garrons with 
which the public service has ever been encumbered.’’*® 

When the Crimean War broke out in 1854 several of the Cape- 
horsed Cavalry regiments were ordered to the front and the Cape 
horses aequitted themselves admirably in that most trying cam- 
paign.. ‘‘Captain Wilder marched from Suez to Cairo and landed 
in the Crimea with the 10th. Huzzars mounted on Cape horses 
that must have been from fifteen to sixteen years old at least, yet 
they gave the highest satisfaction.’’®* 

(86) Montgomery Martin, Racing Calendar 1885. 


(87) Papers relating to the purchase of horses for cavalry service in India. 
Bluebooks 1875. 


eeg 
oN 


In all the campaigns in which the Cape horse has been used the 
size was the only complaint, his capability of endurance and all 
other points have been such as to gain the praise of almost every 
officer in the army both in India, the Crimea and at home in the 
several Kaffir wars. Yet these horses gaining such wonderful rep- 
utation, often as ‘‘condemned’’ horses, were boycotted in every pos- 
sible way and the remarks quoted above and taken from the writ- 
ings of men of considerable experience will in some measure explain 
one of the causes of the decline of horse breeding in South Africa. 

It is contended by numerous cavalry officers and other exper- 
ienced men of that period that in spite of the harm done by the 
speculator type of remount there are thousands of first class re 
mounts in the Colony and especially in the neighboring indepencies 
(the old republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal) and 
if the proper methods were adopted there would have been less dis- 
grace to the British arms in India and less deterioration of the breed 
in South Africa. 

This contention is quite correct; for the period when the aver- 
age good remount was getting scarcer in the Colony, the other Prov- 
inces were just opened up and were in the heyday of pastoral farm- 
ing and troops were running about in an almost wild state. They 
were descendents of the Cape stock which the farmers brought | 
along with them when they emigrated in thousands from the Cape 
Colony in 1836-38. * * * * *the period when the breed of horses 
in the Cape was considered to be in its zenith. Besides this, some 
of the most famous stallions found their way to these studs when 
the interest in horse breeding was on the wane in the old colony, 
being undermined as we have seen by the importation of worthless 
stallions and the mean dealings of the Indian Remounts Committee. 

In searching for reasons for the decline of the industry we should 
also bear in mind, as a certain writer in the India Sporting Review 
rightly remarks, that ‘‘the Cape at that time was not peopled with 
Anglo-Saxons teaming with the inherent love of trade as we find them 
in the Australian colonies * * * * *A boer, loves a bit of horse 
dealing and can make a bargain with any man; but he will run no 
risks, nor trust his property out of sight until he fingers the quid 
pro quo.’’ Time and the working of an established agency under the 
direction of men like Col. Apperley and Col. Bower would have de- 
veloped any latent enterprise there might have existed among the 


46 


great breeders; but the blunders of the India Remount Committee 
and the speculators forstalled this very plausable idea and increased 
the calamities that were undermining this branch of our pastoral 
farming. 

This lack of trading enterprise is justly condemned. ‘Too often 
is the average South African farmer contented to get rid of his pro- 
duce—wool, feathers, slaughter cattle, horses, fruit, etc, to a middle 
man at much inferior prices. One reason is, perhaps, that he is too 
rich or at least considers himself so, and he does not make the least 
exertion to get the best prices for his goods; this was particularly 
the case in pre-war days. After the war, matters had in many 
cases to be altogether reorganized and the want that was caused by 
the war has placed many enterprises on a surer and more business- 
like footing. 

Besides the above mentioned causes there were others that were 
as strong and at that time probably less controlable by man than the 
blunders and prejudices of the Indian authorities and the mistakes 
of bad selection of stallions and mismanagement on the part of the 
farmers. 

Since the year 1854 the periodic visitations of horse sickness 
seems to have increased in severity; for during that year and the 
following over 65,000 horses and mules out of 169,583 were swept 
away.°® In 1870 in the midst of all the difficulties of the Indian 
trade another 70,000 were carried off; and so these periodic visi- 
tations claimed its heavy toll from time to time, making another 
great sweep in 1891-3, of over 100,000 horses and mules, or almost 
1/5 of the total number of horses and mules which is given as 
540,492. With misfortunes like these it is no wonder that horse- 
breeding was carried on in a listless manner; still with better meth- 
ods of feeding and shelter much of the disease’s severity could have 
been avoided. Further details on this side of the question will be 
discussed in another chapter. 

In the meantime other occupations in the pastoral farming 
have been coming up rapidly, and when these series of mishaps and 
drawbacks occurred in one branch, all attention was given to these 
new industries which gave good returns and were fast becoming a 
very safe and lucrative investment. Many of the great horse breed- 
ers think that the deterioration of the Cape horse is solely due to 


(88) Statistics for the year 1854. 
(89) Statistics for the year 1891. 


47 


the rise of these new industries; for the horses were neglected; 
they were consequently an easier prey to the disease and this shat- 
tered all hopes of regaining the trade with India. 

The wool induciry was introduced at an early date at the Cape, 
but the flocks of the indigenous sheep were large and were given 
preference to an imported animal which was considered of inferior 
food value and not half so hardy. 

In 1793 Spanish Merino rams from the royal flocks of George 
Jil were imported and although there was much opposition against 
this new undertaking by the conservative farmers, it soon developed 
quite favorably and spread very fast over the Colony. 

In 1854, the period when the trade in remounts was fairly well 
developed and horse-breeding was very successful, the number of 
pure-bred wool sheeps was 3,788,436 and the number of ordinary 
and mixed breeds 1,766,817. During the next decade, as we know, 
horse-breeding received its severest knocks and the wool sheep in- 
dustry at the end of that decade showed a wonderful increase. The 
number of pure-breds have almest trebled and have even had the 
effect of decreasing the number of half-breds by over 100,000. 

The Industry developed very rapidly and spread beyond the 
borders of the Colony into the Orange Free State, Transvaal and 
Natal. 

It is interesting to note here that Australia obtained some of 
the pure-bred sheep imported in 1793, since the farmers were not 
anxious to attempt an undertaking they knew nothing about. 
Twenty-nine of these, rams and ewes went to establish the finewool. 
industry in Australia, and to-day she produces about five times as 
much wool as we do * * * * * But then she is ‘‘the only nation 
sprung from glorious peace’’ and South Africa has for centuries 
been at the mercy first of hordes of thieving and murdering natives 
and swarms of wild anima!s and secondly of bad Government, 
agressive wars and devastating diseases. In spite of all this the 
wool industry of South Africa is the only one that shows a remark- 
able increase whereas all other countries are on the decrease. 

Two other farming industries must still be mentioned as grow- 
ing out of the fallen reputation of our excellent horse and flourish- 
ing at his expense; they will increase and sweeten our consolation 
for what we have lost in other fields; for we stand pre-eminent in 
them. 


(90) Kobert Wallace, ‘‘ Farming Industries of the Cape Colony.’’ 1896. 
48 


In 1840 a number of Angora goats were imported from Angora 
in Asia and were crossed with the native ‘‘blinkhaar’’ goat of the 
eountry and this cross was ennobled by the importation of a few 
purebreds and improved by selection. The Industry developed 
rapidly and very soon the Angora flocks of the great Karroo plains 
were the finest and largest in the world. 

Twenty years later, in the early sixties, Ostrich farming was 
taken up seriously. A few years ago some of the wild birds were 
tamed and by intelligent selection, mating and good management, 
the South African bird very soon reached a high standard of breed- 
ing and a very profitable industry was opened up. Within twenty 
years from its establishment it has captured the world’s market.” 

In both these farming industries the Union is far ahead of any 
other country, and although they stand on airy stilts that may at 
any time be overthrown by the caprices of the fashion makers they 
have brought a large amount of wealth in the land and have had a 
good influence on farming and agricultural matters in general. 
Should they at any time collapse, the gap will and can be easily 
filled up; for the pastures now occupied by the large flocks of An- 
goras are as good for the Merino and the Cape horse and those 
localities given up to the Ostrich are the richest lands in the whole 
Union and can be put to as good advantage. 

This is in short the history of those farming industries which 
in their rapid growth helped to push horse breeding in the back- 
eround and even caused its neglect and decline. It is quite clear 
that they have more than made up for the losses suffered in the trade 
with India in remounts; but it is difficult to see why the other 
branches of Agriculture should be neglected, they might have been 
reduced, but their neglect was certainly not the best policy and 
neither the Government nor some of the best farmers have taken 
this view and there is yet hope for the reestablishment of the Cape 
Horse. In that great land, with its wonderful pastures, glorious 
climate, liberal and enterprising Government, with an Agricultural 
Department, Agricultural Schools and Experiment Stations fully 
equipped by efficient men there is no reason why all the different 
agricultural pursuits of the people cannot flourish side by side. 
This is all the more possible since the union of the four states and 


(91) Bluebooks and Census Returns. 1840 ete. Cape Town and London. 
(92) Dr Cecil Bergh, Ziir Oeconomische Entwickkelung der Straussenzucht in 
Siidafrika. Leipzig 1914. 


49 


after the war has cleared away barriers that were supposed to have 
been in the way. 

There are besides these factors still some others which have not 
only had an effect on South African farming industries, but has 
effected the world at large and have to some extent revolutionized 
the world’s trade at the time. 

In 1869 the Suez Canal was opened up for traffic, and the Cape 
and other South African ports that up to then were the great half 
way stations on the trade routes between Hurope, America and the 
East, saw themselves all of a sudden forsaken by the usual calls of 
the trading fleets and consequently lost a large amount of direct 
trade with these countries.** 

This occurrence effected the trade in remounts with India con- 
siderably; for horses could be procured from European countries 
in the same amount of time and at the same prices, if not cheaper. 

Last but not least in this eventful history of the decay and de- 
generation of a once flourishing and most promising industry is the 
discovery of the world’s richest diamond and gold mines.** 

In 1870, the year generally taken when horse-breeding had 
lost its prestige and standard of the previous five or six decades, the 
diamond fields were discovered and had a large share in the with- 
drawing of the farmers’ attention. For some time it stimulated the 
breeding of cattle very much, for all the heavy machinery had to be 
transported by the ox-wagons; but even this was in its turn super- 
seded by the railway. Railway lines were creeping very fast from 
the various seaports to the great mining centers and with the sub- 
sequent building of numerous branch lines other modes of convey- 
ance were overshadowed—the ox-wagon soon became an object of 
the past and the lhght horse-wagon which was the pride of those 
days became rarer and was followed first by the elegant Cape-cart 
and more recently of course by the motor-lorry and automobile. 

These changes, however, were bound to come and the great 
secret in order not to be harmed by them, is to adjust the several 
farming industries in such a way that no one is outbalanced by the 
other or exists at the expense of another. 

The best and most efficient methods should be adopted in order 
to cope with the demands and needs of an ever increasing and 
(93) Encyclopedia Brittanica. Vol. XXIV. 


(94) History of Gold Mining Industry. ‘‘The Transvaal’’ British Asso- 
ciation for the advancement of Science. 1905. 


50 


specializing field of competing industrial activity. To this end a 
good education, tempered by experience is generally recognized the 
world over to be the greatest factor in giving the individual and the 
nation that competence and power which will attempt to have all the 
payable resources of the land work together as one harmonious 
whole for the welfare of the community at large. 


(d) PRESENT TIME. 


Up to this stage we have, for convenience sake, considered the 
history of horse-breeding as falling into three periods, or rather 
discussed it under three different aspects, which were marked by 
important occurrences. The period covering its origin and steady 
growth dates from 1652. It comprises the importation of horses 
from Java, Persia, Arabia, North and South America, the capture 
of some stallions from Spain and the first importation of English 
blood horses. It closes in 1820 with the importation of large num- 
bers of some of the best Thoroughbreds. A new period of very 
marked development set in and was sadly interfered with by the im- 
portation of large numbers of a much inferior type of sire in 1870 
and after, when the period of general deterioration and neglect be- 
ean and dragged on in spite of the efforts made to suppress it, until 
the end of the century. 

The Anglo-Boer war (1899-1902) is another occurence that had 
a great effect on horse-bréeding and fittingly divides its history into 
another period, which runs up to the present time. 

Had we spoken of a general deterioration of the breed in the 
preceding generation, we almost had no horse to speak about in the 
beginning of this one. The sweeping movements made after the 
first great defeats of the British forces and aiming at the starving 
out of the Boer forces, had collected troops of brood mares and 
foals together. with large fiocks of sheep and other stock and de- 
stroyed them with machine guns. 

The old Republics naturally bore the brunt of the war al- 
though the neighboring colonies had a fair show of it too. Statis- 
ties of pre-war days are very scarce and unreliable, especially in 
the old Republics. In 1914 the first collection of a complete Census 
of the agricultural industries of the Union would have been made,” 


(95) Cf. Editorial Notes. Agricultural Journal of the Union of South Africa. 
No. 6, Vol. VI. 1913. 


° 


D1 


but the World War, which has also dragged South Africa into its 
coils has of course forstalled this plausible and most necessary 
undertaking. 

From statistics available, the extent of destruction caused by 
the war is realized in some measure. The Census Returns of 1904 
showed that the number of horses and mules in the Cape Colony to 
have been 419,963, a number less than that of thirteen years ago 
(1891) and given as 444,147. If this was the state of affairs in the 
Cape Colony, that of the two old Republics can easily be guessed. 
The Census Returns of 1911 showed a still further decrease in the 
Cape Colony and gave the number of horses in that colony as 
381,021; this decrease, however, can be explained to some extent 
by the fact that the old Republics bought large numbers of horses 
in the Colony after the war and that some 9000 horses and mules 
were exported to German South West Africa during the Herero 
war as well as the exportation of breeding stock beyond the Union’s 
border, Portuguese territories and Rhodesia.°® 

This wholesale destruction of the horse material was all the 
more a pity since the old Republics took up horse-breeding very 
seriously ever since their origin and establishment in 1845 and con- 
tinued to breed good horses when the Colony neglected their studs. 

As has been mentioned before, agricultural statistics are scanty 
and often unreliable. Agricultural institutions were in their in- 
fancy and the Census Returns often very incomplete, owing to the 
returns of some districts coming in late and the inclusion at one 
time and the exclusion at another of the native territories and also 
the frequent changing of the census areas. 

In the old Republics matters of this kind were worse and we 
have to gather our sources from circumstantial evidences and side- 
lights. The government was established on simple yet effective _ 
lines and has been declared by great statesmen and scholars of con- 
stitutional governments as being a model institution, which suited 
a pastoral people excellently and afforded them the best content- 
ment, assistance and happiness. Sir James Bryce considered the 
government of the Orange Free State a model one and remarks that 
‘‘these simple Free State farmers were wiser in their simplicity 
than some of the philosophers who at divers times planned and 


(96) Bluebooks giving census Returns of 1891, 1904, 1911. 
Also Ectimates*****EHaports, ete. 1904-1809. 


e 
52 


framed governments for nascent communities * * * * * The Or- 
ange Free State government has merits not to be found either in 
the American or the British system of constitutional government 
** * * * But though wisdom is justified of all of her children, 
she cannot secure that her children shall survive the shocks of 
arms.’’**? With such a government there is sufficient reason to be- 
lieve that the several pastoral industries received every attention 
and were in a flourishing state even if there was no organized body 
especially directing them. 

In those days Agricultural Societies were the only organized 
institutions that stimulated the progress of farming in general and 
were subsidised by the government, who contributed on the pound 
sterling for pound sterling principle. In the Transvaal (South 
African Republic) the executive voted £10,000 for the advancement 
of agricultural affairs annually and later increased this amount con- 
siderably. Every year a Congress was held in one of the great 
centers and matters were discussed, new schemes were planned and 
undertaken for the advancement of farming throughout the state. 
The executive Bureau of this Congress reported to the Government 
who took a lively interest in the doings of these institutions and 
gave it every assistance.°® 

In 1899 the first attempt was made in the Orange Free State to 
establish an Agricultural Department and its officers were entrusted 
to several of the most experienced farmers and a small trained 
staff to organize the department; the war, however, forstalled 
their plans. After the war bygones were very soon allowed to re- 
main bygones and Briton and Boer settled down together and very 
soon matters assumed their usual tenor. Most of the men respons- 
ible before the war were once more called upon to investigate mat- 
ters and in 1903 the Orange River Colony Department of Agricul- 
ture was established. On the details and its later development. will 
be explained later on, it sufficeth, however, to stipulate the headli- 
ness of their aims and proposed field of activity, which is more or 
less that of the whole Union to-day. The department will call into 
life: 

(1) Stud farms for the direct benefit of stock breeders. 

(2) Experimental farms where useful experiments could be 


(97) Sir James Bryce. Orange Free State 1901. 
(98) Transvaal Agricultural Journal No. 3, 1902. 


53 


carried out in stock breeding and other problems effecting farming 
industries. | 

(3) Educational centers for young men and Bureaus of In- 
formation for the older inhabitants.°° 

This colony then possessed 103,731 horses, part of it was of the 
original stock and part of it was largely imported from the Cape 
Colony and Natal as well as from other parts of the world. From 
time to time stallions were obtained from the neighboring districts 
of the Cape Colony and there is reason to believe that many of the 
imported Thoroughbreds of fame found their way in the pre-war 
days. The famous stallion Turpin is an example of this. He was 
later sold to a Natal farmer.*°® Champagne Charlie or rather his 
progeny was a household word in the Boshof district. Good sires 
were also obtained from the large studs in the Colony and Free 
State breeders were proud to possess a ‘‘Hantam’’, ‘‘van Zyl”’, 
‘“Kotze’’ or ‘‘Oosthuizen’’ bred stallion or pair. 

There is a very interesting ‘‘talk’’ in the first volume of the 
Natal Agricultural Journal of 1898 by Mr. Charles Barter, one of 
the first horse-breeders in that Colony. His remarks are very val- 
uable as they give us a view of the state of affairs immediately before 
the war and something about the origin and development of horse- 
breeding in Natal. ‘‘Natal has proved itseif a fit home for the 
Thoroughbred and certainly less adapted to the coarser equine 
breeds. Let us then follow nature. Let us leave heavy draught to 
the railroad and traction engine and the most longsuffering of crea- 
tures the trekox; and in breeding horses for draught let us try to 
make compactness of form, symmetry, sound limbs and feet and sup- 
ple action supply the absence of weight and bulk.’’ 

Mr. Barter’s people owned the first Thoroughbred imported 
into Natal in 1860; and remarks that there were few good horses 
like Mortimer in the colony, because the old-colony breeders who 
known the value of a really good horse and is generally willing to 
pay for it gets the benefit of our good judgement and luck and thus 
a chance of real improvement such as may not be offered again for 
many years is lost to the colony, or at least to the present gener- 
ation.’’ 

Tables were, however, turned and after the Cape Colony be. 


(99) First Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture of the Orange 
River Colony (1904-5). 
(100) Natal Agricultural Journal Vol. VII, 1904. 


o4 


came mixed up with the Indian Authorities and their wool-sheep 
farming the neighboring independences and Natal had the benefit 
of the best sires in the land. ‘‘Such worthies as Warwick, Jovial 
Boy, Tom Tug, Turpin and many others went to improve the stock 
of brood mares beyond the Colony’s borders.’’ However, even 
Natal as well as the old republics were effected by several causes 
that brought about the deterioration of the horse in the Colony. 
In Natal this was largely due to the changed conditions of life, 
brought about by the contraction of farms, better roads and loco- 
motive power. This falling off was more marked in the riding- 
horse. ‘*The class of horse the Uys Bros., Mr. Botha and later Mr. 
Boshoff and others used to breed and quickly disposed of from £15 
to £25 would not attract many purchasers now. No one eares to 
ride eighty or one hundred miles with perhaps an extra horse can- 
tering by his side; still fewer are they who make from point to 
point across country, over mountains, and through dense forests 
and swift flowing streams.’’ So we find that even in these Prov- 
inces the horse material was getting less efficient; but we are as- 
sured that the general standard was a high one. Mr. Barter as- 
sures us that had the horses he rode and drove found their way 
into the stables of the great horse-breeders in Kngland they would 
“most certainly have been reserved to mount special favorites and 
considered a long sight too good to be knocked about by the average 
University man.’’ 

In an article on ‘‘Progress in agriculture since Union’’ the 
under-secretary, Mr. P. J. du Toit makes the following remarks 
under the heading ‘‘ Horses and Mules’’: ‘‘ We have no means of as- 
certaining from the point of view the numbers the advance made in 
horse-breeding since Union. ‘The increase between the years 1904 
and 1911, however, has been sixty percent., from 449,539 to 719,- 
414,”’ 

‘“We have a long way to go by way of improving the quality, 
though the steady effort in this direction made—in those parts of 
the Union most denuded of horses during the war—by the impor- 
tations of blood stock by the government and private individuals 
and the continuous importations by the established breeders of the 
older parts of the Union, have made a perceptible difference. The 
keener rivalry at our principal agricultural shows is proof of 
OU ee 
(401) Agricultural Journal of the Union of South Africa. Vol. VI, 1913. 


50 


After the war tens of thousands of horses amongst which num- 
ber a large amount of mares were sold to the farmers by the military 
authorities, they represented a polyglot collection from almost every 
part of the world and the greater majority of these were inferior 
even to the average Cape Horse as the Official Remount Report 
issued after the war will show. Extracts from this report will in 
some measure give an estimation of a large bulk of the material 
that went to build up the industry after the war. 

‘“Generally a good compact, true made, bigbarrelled horse on 
short legs with a certain amount of quality of any nationality ex 
cept the Argentine—which must have some horrible strains of blood 
in his veins—did well.’’?° 

South Africans: There were very few South Africans that 
can be called horses except from Natal; but whenever we did get 
one, he was the best. A hard, wiry, wellbred animal, very quiet 
and able to take care of himself on the veld and in the line on the 
worst of forage and water. 

Australians: The animals were disappointing on the whole. 
The typical Waler was of course light on the leg, ewe-necked and 
angular. The draft horse was a positive scandal. 

Canadians: Many were barouche horses; high on the leg and 
slack corn made animals, possessed of some quality. 

Hungarians: They were strong little animals, full of quality 
but failures and universally condemned as ‘‘flatcatchers.’’ 

Indians: The country horse is too soft and excitable and very 
little good for campaigning. The Arabs and Walers from India 
were excellent, nothing could beat the Arab. 

Americans: Varied greatly, many were capital light cavalry 
horses with great substance and quality. 

British: The general superiority of the British over the other 
imported animals is greatly due to his having been habitually corn 
fed and regularly worked before embarkation. He is truer made 
and rounder ribbed. For draft purposes he was excellent; but for 
riding many were too long in the leg. 

A similar report is given for cobs and in that company the 
Cape Horse and his types held their own as well as among the 
horses. 

‘“The South African cob is unsurpassed for Mounted Infantry 
work. They are hardy, active animals, require no care, they live 
(102) Transvaal Agricultural Journal, Vol. f. Official Remount Report 1901-2. 

56 


on the scantiest rations and are very quiet. On the veld they are 
as sure-footed as goats. Their paces are a slow canter and a shuf- 
fling walk. The Basuto pony is the best of all.’’ 

This extract in short describes the stock that was left to South 
Africa after the war; for the farmers bought the remaining horse 
material of the British forces and amongst these were a large num- 
ber of mares. Thousands of breeding stock have also been imported 
from abroad and unluckily most of the horses were imported from 
the Argentine, owing to low prices. These horses were the worst 
the British Army had used and their influence was not at all satis- 
factory; but the people were exhausted by the disastrous effects of 
the war and beggars cannot choose. But things righted themselves 
very soon. The larger part of the 3,000,000 pounds sterling paid 
by Great Britain to the Republics as part of the conditions of the 
Peace of Vereniging went to rehabilitate the farming industries. 
The Governments of the old Republics placed large sums of monies 
at the disposal of the farmers on very easy terms for the purpose 
of buying pure-bréd sheep and other live stock in the Cape Colony 
or imported from abroad. 

The great reputation the Cape Horse once more gained on the 
field of battle and general campaign duty seemed to have attracted 
horse breeders’ attention anew and its breeding and improvement 
became one of the most serious interests throughout South Africa. 

The great horse breeders of the Hantam of ancient fame col- 
lected as many of the old stock as they could lay hands on and some 
of the best Thoroughbred stallions were imported from England. 

Dr. F. D. McDermott, Director of the Cape Agricultural De- 
partment giving a full description of the various great studs in this 
region three years after the war, makes the following remarks on 
the breeding stock: ‘‘The class of mare mostly bred from here is 
the colonial type, as much as possible on the line of the old Hantam 
animal, but it has been so difficult to secure this type of mare since 
the war, that the old Hantam horse seems to be almost doomed. It 
is to be hoped that with all the new blood in the district we shall 
soon have a new Hantam horse with the characteristics of the old 
one and a few improvements. Soil and climate have a great deal 
to do with horse-breeding so that there is no reason to fear that what 
has been done before cannot be done again.’’!°* 


(103) F. D. McDermot. Rural Cape Colony. Agricultural Journal of the Cape 
of Good Hope. Vol. XXVII, 1905. 


Ay 


In the Southern parts of the Cape Colony the old studs in the 
Robertson, Montagu and Malmesbury districts, horse-breeders have 
also reorganized their general breeding stock. In 1905 Dr. Hutch- 
eon, Chief Veterinary Surgeon for the Cape Colony found that 
‘“there was a marked improvement in all classes, especially in horses. 
Two helpful features were to be noticed. First, the presence of a 
fine class of brood mares; and secondly, the number of promising 
youngsters. ‘‘Whatever the breeders do they should keep as near 
as possible to the original stock.’’1°+ 

There is perhaps no other country where farming is so general. 
Quite a number of very rich men have taken up land in the great 
horse-breeding districts and have their studs and racing stables 
there. Hspecially in the Colesburg district, which was the recog- 
nized home of some of the finest equine stock South America could 
boast. With the advent of men like Sir Abe Bailey, Nourse, Ho- 
man, Robertson, Rissik and many others the distict seems to have a 
future of greater brilliancy than its past in the line of horse-breed- 
ing.’°? No other district can probably show so many wealthy 
farmers and land owners—more and more the wealth of the gold 
and diamond mines is being spent on thesestuds and the develop- 
ment and improvement of the Cape horse. The advent of new 
men with new methods is sure to cause some change in the smaller 
communities; but the ultimate results will be for the good of the 
land. 

The methods of management and selection are of the best. The 
sires are of the best Thoroughbred strains. Fuller will be dwelt 
upon these important factors in another chapter on private studs. 

From these several remarks we find that the modern tendencies 
all aim at regaining the glories of the past. <A great effort is being 
made to establish firmly a breed of horses that came as near perfee- 
tion as any other old established breed; but it has been rudely in- 
terfered with by great catastrophes which to-day can be made harm- 
less, thanks to the advancement of scientific knowledge in checking 
and overcoming diseases and teaching practical and economic meth- 
ods which bring progress and wealth in its practice. 


(104) Dr. Hutcheon. Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope. Vol. 
XXXVI 1908. 

(105) Rural Cape Colony. Agricultural Journal i the Cape of Good Hope. 
Vol. XXVI. 19085. 


08 


CHAPTER II. 


METHODS IN BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 
IN THE UNION. 


The methods practised in the rearing and management or horses 
in South Africa are very simple and primitive yet very effective. 
They conform to the natural order of things. The horses are 
reared in the open, they provide for themselves except in droughts 
and poor seasons and enjoy that vitality and stamnia which is the 
birthright of the wild troop, subjected only to man’s will and the 
laws of nature which are most favorable to the strong and merciless 
to the weak. 

In the beginning of its history horse-breeding was for a time 
conducted on European lines, that means the animals were kept at 
stable during nights and for the greater part of the day, owing to 
the numerous wild animals and thieving hordes of natives that 
prowled about. In 1654 the only stallion then at the Cape was torn 
to pieces by lions in broad day-light and under the very nose of the 
fort’s cannon.t Frequent mention is also made of elaborate stabl- 
ing and provisions for the horses owned by the Company, and this 
method was adopted by the farmers since 1665 when through the 
first public sale of horses by the Company they undertook horse- 
breeding as a new undertaking in their agricultural and pastoral 
pursuits.* 

This state of affairs must have been in practice for over a cen- 
tury, for the 18th century was well advanced before the great hinter- 
land beyond the several mountain ranges of the Drakenstein and the 
Eastern districts of Swellendam and Graaf-Reinet were opened up. 

As the flocks of sheep increased and with them the troops of 
horses and herds of cattle the farmers moved more inland to find 
fresh pastures and since the great pastoral system of farming came 
in vogue, all additional feeding and stabling were discarded. : 

Agricultural implements were primitive, the wooden plow was 
only dispensed with in the beginning of the 19th century and such 


(1) Jan van Riebeeck. ‘‘ Dagverhaal van’’ 1652-1662. 
(2) Archives of the Cape of Good Hope. 1652-1795. 


59 


cultivation of cereals as was done at the time was only sufficient to 
supply the family with the necessary food and bread.:* Thus the 
troops of horses were left to forage for themselves on the almost 
limitless pastures.: Valuable stallions, such as mentioned in prey- 
ious pages and imported before 1800, costing as much as 3000 
thaler were naturally offered the best stabling and care. This state of 
affairs was a most ideal one for the breeding of excellent animals; 
with plenty of feed on boundless pastures the little harm done by 
the few severe winter months in stunting the growth and ultimate- 
ly the size was generally overcome by breeding from pure-bred 
sires of good size and weight; but with the limiting of pastures, 
however, and breeding from inferior stallions, new methods were 
required to deal with new conditions aud altered circumstances. 
Unfortunately with few exceptions it has been a case of doing as 
erandfather and father did and the glories of those days have not 
dawned again. 

The earliest accounts of this branch of the South African pas- 
toral farming are found in the valuable volumes of Lichtenstein. 
‘‘stabling,’’ says this authority, ‘‘is out of the question, horse- 
thefts are unknown in the north-western regions and the horses run 
on the pastures day and night. Every fortnight the troop is 
rounded up and counted. Now and then a foal falls a prey to 
hyneas (wolves) and many a horse shows signs that it had a bad 
time at the claws of some wild animal or other. This locality’’— 
comprising to-day the districts of Calvinia, Victoria, West, Rich- 
mond, Colesberg, Hanover, etc., and then known as ths old and new 
Hantam districts—‘‘is eminently suited for the rearing of horses, 
as it is a high plateau region with never failing streams and roll- 
ing pastures of excellent grass. The high altitude of several of the 

- flat-topped hills is also a safeguard against the destructive disease 
that periodically sweeps over the land and raises great havoc among 
the troops of horses in other localities.’’* 

He further mentions that large studs of over 300 horses are of 
frequent occurence both in the northern and southern districts and 
that the stallions generally are very fine animals being ‘‘either im- 
ported Enelish blood horses or Arabs. The methods in practice all 
over the country are those of a free stud and the appearance of the 


(3) Robert Wallace. ‘‘ Farming Industries in the Cape Colony’’ 1896. 
(4) Heinrich Lichtenstein. ‘*‘ Reisen in Siidlichen Afrika 1798-1806’’ 


60 


excellent foals bids fair for the future of the horse-breeding in these 
localities. ’’ 

The general use of the horse-wagons and the management of the 
team of six or eight neat geldings or stallions is a theme on which he 
waxes eloquent. ‘‘All European art of driving is put in the shade 
by the dexterity of the average colonial driver. In full trot or gal- 
lop he holds complete command over the ropes and even misses every 
stone or hole on the uneven way and this is the more astounding 
since he never makes use of the assistance of the driver at his side 
who wields a long whip. 

In this manner the sharpest corners are rounded with ease. I 
myself have been driven by a bastard Hottentot in a wagon drawn 
by fourteen fiery steeds under the very eyes of the Governor and 
through the narrow streets of the camp on the banks of the Liesbeeks 
River without the slightest hitch and in great style. This skillful- 
ness is so common that the people are surprised if any mention is 
made of it at all.’’ 

Burchell who travelled South Africa extensively twenty years 
later corroborates these remarks of Lichtenstein. This method of 
travelling was very common up to the close of the last century. 

Lichtenstein speaking of horse-breeding before 1800 remarks 
that no horses were bred for racing but that spirited young horses 
and wagon teams were very common. Breeding for these purposes 
then have been the aim of the average horse-breeder of the 18th 
eentury. They certainly attained a very high standard. The 
wagon team and all its outfit has gained the approbation and praise 
of every foreign explorer and writer. These ideals were later over- 
shadowed by breeding for racing and were taken up by the new re- 
publics in the north that practically repeated and adopted the col- 
onizing methods of the older colony. 

There are no fixed methods in the use of stallions during the 
breeding season; very valuable stallions are continually kept at 
stable, they are well cared for and are given all the exercise and 
attention they merit and are used to their utmost in the breeding 
season, often covering as many mares as they want to. Generally 
the troop is rounded up and the stallion is let loose in a paddock 
with half a dozen mares for the day. This method is assorted to 
because the mares are generally unbroken and owing to their free 


(5) Burchell ‘‘ Travels in the Interior of South Africa 1820-22.’’ 


61 


run on the veld they are fairly wild. When the stallion is a very 
valuable one and not thoroughly acclimatised this method is con- 
sidered to be the least risky. South African bred stallions get 
some extra feeding and grooming only for some period before the 
breeding season and as soon as the first foals are dropped the stal- 
lion is allowed to run with the troop and do his two-fold duty, cover- 
ing the mares and protecting the foals against possible attacks of 
smaller wild animals or mules;- especially was this the case in the 
days when wild animals were more numerous—mules too were con- 
sidered to afford excellent protection against the smaller wild ani- 
mals, but it has been found that the excessive love of the mule for 
foals and his too hard caresses have cost the farmer the loss of many 
a good foal and to-day mules are not allowed to run in the same 
camp with young foals. 

In the ordinary stud the stallion used is generally selected from 
the troop of a breeder whose reputation as a breeder of excellent 
horses has been gained by the performances of individuals of his 
stud. He is the owner of one or more imported stallions the high 
repute of which has been based solely on the quality, conformation 
and performances of their progeny. To the average farmer, par- 
ticularly of the earlier days, ‘a high pedigree and race course records 
were so many mere words; a stallion was judged by his offspring 
and its capabilities—it was deeds not words they wanted even from 
their horses, and it is due to these sensible and efficient methods of 
selection that horse-breeding could withstand the shock it received 
three-quarters of a century later, when in 1860 numbers of worth- 
less brutes found their way to many of the studs solely on the 
merit of high pedigrees and race course records, overlooking the 
fact that was borne in mind so well during the past two centuries, 
that a brilliant turf record and high sounding pedigree are no guar- 
antees of what a horse will do at stud, especially for breeding use- 
ful animals. 

These methods conducted on such natural lines, would, when 
carried on with some intelligent system of selection and manage- 
ment on sufficient pastures and abundant fresh water supplies, com- 
bine within itself all that could be desired for the ideal and suc- 
cessful rearing of a good horse; but unfortunately these methods 
were not combined with sufficient attention and intelligence and 
where the treop has been allowed too much freedom deterioration 
of the stock in general has been the result. 


62 


The stallions running with the troop all the year round, would 
cover the young mares at too tender an age, and the colts being 
allowed to run too long before castration are also responsible for a 
great deal of damage. In the scanty winter months and during 
periods of droughts the young stock and the brood mares are half 
starved with the result that they are stunted in growth. Hence 
the universal praise of the hardiness and all-sufficiency of the Cape 
horse, but the general complaint of its small size and bad conform- 
ation. 

Generally thirty mares are alotted to one stallion in good con- 
dition; but very frequently this number is very much exceeded, 
especially if the stallion has a high reputation. Young mares are 
not served before the third year and the great breeders prefer 
waiting until the fourth year. 

The foals are dropped on the veld and aid at birth is very sel- 
don required. In all my experience I do not remember a single 
instance of this case on any of our farms or on those of our neigh- 
bors. ‘‘Inflammation of the naval and foal-lameness so common 
in Europe and other countries are unknown troubles in South Af- 
rica. In a good year a farmer may reckon on 55% increase to his 
troop,’’ or 95% of a season’s crop of foals.® 

After 1860 when the wool sheep and Angora goat farming has 
been well established and the Cape horse was gradually being 
pushed on a back shelf, the limitless pastures were naturally lm- 
ited. Most of the farms were fenced in and although they general- 
ly contained 10,000 to 30,000 acres, still with thousands of sheep. 
cattle and horses the pasturages could not feed all. There were no 
opportunities as of old to move to new pastures unless the farmer 
emigrated to the new republics. Circumstances like these called 
for more intensive farming. The shortage of food must be sup- 
plied in some way or other; instead of this the majority of farmers 
preferred and in many cases were forced to submit their flocks, 
cattle and horses to a course of starvation through the scanty winter 
months. 

The effects of such a state of affairs on young stock can be well 
imagined. The horses were stunted in growth and the cattle al- 
though a very excellent breed mature only at the age of five or six 
years. 


(6) Dr. O. Wegner. Zur Kenntniss der Ziidafrikanische Landwiraschaft. 1906. 


63 


Experts and enterprising farmers advised and followed bet- 
ter methods in order to maintain the high standard of past decades. 
Colonel Apperley, a great authority on horse-breeding, speaking 
about the general neglect and indifference of most breeders says 
that ‘‘ Every shoulder should be put to the wheel to develop and 
improve such a wonderful and only half-developed country. Horse- 
sickness can be avoided by erecting proper sheds for the mares and 
foals and growing fodder of some sort, roots or cereals to feed 
them on during the prevalence of the disease which only lasts two 
or three months—if the farmers do not think their horse stock worth 
this little expense and trouble they deserve to suffer and the Aus 
tralians will ultimately deprive them of the Indian market.’’* This 
was sound advice, but in fell on deaf ears or rather ears that lis- 
tened only to the bleating of lambs and they suffered and lost all 
to the Australians who with their ‘‘fiddle-headed and soft-boned 
Walers’’ soon ousted the deteriorated Cape horse at the Indian 
market, or rather found their entrance there by the absence of a 
better article; for only two decades back the Cape horse called 
forth the highest encomium of almost every cavalry officer who had 
to deal with him in India and elsewhere. ; 

The special conditions of South African travelling have called 
forth many inventions which were the creation of necessity and 
adaptation. The Cape cart is one of these and in various forms 
and styles it is to-day the most common vehicle in the country. It 
stands on a pair of fairly high wheels, is either a two or four-seater 
and is drawn by one or more pairs of horses, as the length of the 
journey or weight of the load demands. Another vehicle is the al- 
ready mentioned horse-wagon or ‘‘Veer-wagen’’—a light jolting 
wagon on springs, which developed into great efficiency and popu- 
larity during the latter part of the eighteenth century in the Cape 
Colony and was adopted by the new states when discarded by the 
old Colony. Almost every farmer owned one for the conveyance 
of his rather large family in the quarterly exodus to the district 
village for the celebration of the holy Communion. Every farmer 
vied with his neighbor in the possession of the best team, and it 
was a real delight to the lover of horses to see dozens of these light 
wagons roll into the village at the end of the week with their teams 


(7) Reprint from Racing Calendar of 1885 in Agricultural Journal of the Cape 
of Good Hope. Vol. III. 


64 


of sixes or eights—bays, chestnuts, dapple greys and blacks—one 
could not make a choice. A week or two before the occasion the 
team gets its quarterly grooming and extra feeding to be quite fit 
for the thirty or forty mile trip. The home-coming is generally 
in great style—the pace is rapid and the representatives of the sev- 
eral studs are thoroughly put to the test; the speed increases with 
the milage covered and it is very seldom if ever that a team appears 
not as fresh after the journey of thirty miles as when they started 
over bad roads with a rest of only an hour on the way. 

On a long journey frequent stoppages are made in order to 
breathe the horses but more particularly to allow the regular pas. 
sage of urine, for if this precaution is overlooked a trouble known 
in South Africa as ‘‘through the water’’ may occur. This is oc- 
casioned by the swelling of the bladder and the paralyxing of the 
sphineter muscles, thus unabling the horse to pass its urine.® 

This method of travelling has been gone into with some detail, 
for it certainly has been a great factor in the breeding of sound and 
beautiful animals possessing great stamina and endurance and is 
largely responsible for the large number of good horses in the inde- 
pendent states when the colony horses have deteriorated. 

_ In those good old days and to a large extent to-day it was an 
unwritten code of honor that the team (specially called the ‘* Nacht- 
maal span’’—Communion team) should be perfet animals and that 
it was a disgrace to possess a team of ‘‘flanwkoppe’’ (weak hearts). 
It was thus the desire of every farmer to breed from the best stal- 
lion only and to give some attention to the selection of his brood 
mares. 

With the increase of better means of conveyance and the ap- 
pearance of good roads toward the middle of the 19th Century the 
wagon and team have largely been superceded by the ‘‘spider’’ 
and pair or four in hand. It is a light four-wheeler very much in 
use in the mountainous regions of Natal, eastern Transvaal and 
parts of the Orange Free State and the Cape Colony; but the Cape 
cart in its various forms is the ideal and most popular vehicle in 
the land. In the cities the vehicles present a motley collection from 
every part of the world—from the light Rickshaw of Durban, 
drawn by a giant Zulu boy in the queerest haberdashery to the 
London Hansom and the Arab or Malay driver who is as great a 


(8) Cf. Natal Agricultural Journal Vol. IV- 


65 


‘‘hustler’’ as the New York taxi-driver, and also these have their 
representatives only too numerously in all the large cities. 

Out of this quarterly or even half-yearly get-together ‘‘at the 
echurch’’ many incidents of interest naturally arise; one of these 
is told in a highly amusing way by the Swedish traveller and ex- 
plorer Karstrom and may be considered here only in the light of 
its effect on the meihod of improving the quality of the Cape horse.® 

The young farmer has had the opportunity of meeting the 
young ladies of the district and having had his affection stolen away 
by a maiden often many miles away from his father’s farm, he 
naturally has to pay her the necessary calls. Hor this purpose the 
best horse of his father’s troop is selected, trained and groomed to 
perfection—for even up to quite recently a farmer’s standing was 
generally judged by his equipage or by his horse if he was on 
horse-back. 

Thus every youth in the land is mest particular on this part 
of his worldly possessions—his riding-horse, shooting pony and the 
carriage pair are amongst his dearest possessions; and there is 
a very eifective saying amongst the farmers, that there are three 
things which a man should never lend out and that is his wife, his 
riding-horse and his rifle. 

The wagon team, Cape cart and riding horse are given prom- 
inence here, because, many a well-to-do farmer pays too little at- 
tention to his equipage and frequently resorts to the ox-wagon when 
a team of neat geldings would not only have given greater speed 
and comfort but also saved time and multiplied the opportunities 
of making small trips either for business or pleasure. 

The horse-team would be more in vogue, had we still those good 
light horse-wagons. To hitch a team of horses to the unwieldy 
ox-wagon is to add injury to insult, te say the least. The heht 
trolly-wagon would be a great asset on the farm. 

The great drawback to these teams are of course the problem 
of feeding. To buy feed on the way when it is not the general 
usage is too expensive. Wealthy farmers own automobiles but at 
the same aime they always possess several good pairs of horses. 
Some smaller details deserve some mention here. 

South African harness is decidedly better than most of the im- 
ported European make. Like almost everything else it is charac- 


(9) H. Karstrom. ‘‘A Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope 1820. 


66 


teristic of the puritanical tastes of the people. It is unostentations 
yet durable and neat and is not made out of tanned leather sewn 
with cotton or flax that goes to pieces after several showers of rain 
on it and under the trying sub-tropical sun and dry air. The 
leather is prepared by a process of currying until it is plant 
and soft, possessing an extreme flexibility and whiteness when prop- 
erly prepared. The several parts are then cut out from the hide and 
sewn together with leather lacing prepared in the same way from 
the skins of certain antelopes and goats. With silver claspings and 
moderate trimming they decidedly add elegance to a fine pair of 
horses and greatly enhance the smartness and good style of any 
epuipage. Dr. Wegner, director of the Hast Prussian studs at 
Norden remarks amongst others in a report on South African Ag- 
ricultural matters that: ‘‘the beautifully prepared harness made 
out of a chamois-dressed and oil-tawed white-leather could serve as 
an example to the stables of many a German estate.’’° The high 
price of this kind of harness, however, allows of the importation of 
a large quantity of a cheaper article. 

The general habit of riding on horse-back and the many duties 
performed by their mounts have called forth many points that have 
influenced the breeding and management of the Cape horse. 

Horse-back riding is universal, from boyhood to old age the 
South African farmer is acquainted with the saddle’s seat; almost 
every girl one comes across is a perfect horse-woman and a man who 
cannot ride is a rara avis and if he is a farmer he is looked at with 
some contempt even by small boys. 

Jan van Riebeeck, founder of white South Africa is probably 
the tirst horseman who enjoyed a canter along the slopes of the 
magnificent mountains of the Cape peninsula, fanned by the breezes 
of two oceans. Seated on his favorite charger the ‘‘Roode. Vos’’ 
with his picturesque dress of the 17th Century—flowing ostrich 
plumes, gold embroidery and immaculate lace—it was considered 
that he would dispiay the insignia of high office and lordship most 
effectively to the hordes of natives, who were awe-inspired at this 
mighty being riding on an animal they have never seen before."* 
Since those late autumn days of 1652 when van Riebeeck sported 


(10) Dr. O. Wegner, ‘‘Zur Kenntnisse der Stidafrikanische Landwirtschaft’’ 
1906 


(11) Dr. E. C. Godeé-Molsbergen, *‘ Jan van Riebeeck, Stichter van Hollands 
Zuid Afrika, 1913.’’ 


67 


his charger in the service of the state to the present day there is a 
close link between every farm boy or man and his pony or pair. 

In the rounding up of cattle, on shooting expeditions, on long | 
journeys over bad roads, on pleasure rides and even on the war 
path these same ponies are the inseparable and trusty friends of the 
South African. 

The methods of breaking in young horses are unique. The 
foals are never meddled with and grow up in all the freedom and 
wild glory of foalhood until the third or fourth year when they 
meet their master to whose will they ultimately give way with that 
fidelity and willingness which has endeared the horse to man forever. 

That excellent horseman, Captain Hayes, gives a very accurate 
description of the method. ‘‘The way in which horses are broken 
to saddle in South Africa is one which I have never seen practised 
in any other country. It is charmingly simple and has its good 
points as well as its bad ones. It consists in tying the head of the 
neophyte close up to that of a steady horse by means of a cord 
connecting the respective headstalls worn by the animals. After 
they have been both bridled and saddled the “‘schoolmaster’’ is 
first mounted and then another man gets on the young one who is 
powerless to buck or bolt-on account of his head being fixed to that 
of the steady ‘‘schoolmaster.’’ Besides this the fact of his being 
alongside another horse gives him confidence and no matter how 
wild he may be he will learn in a short time to carry his burden 
and regulate his pace according to that of his companion. As he 
settles down to work the connecting cord may gradually be loos- 
ened out until at last it can be taken off altogether. This is a 
capital plan if one has a good break-horse and if no better way is 
known.’’?? 

“The saddles used are wide towards the center and have a 
good dip in them * * * * the weight is sometimes very great and 
they are clumsy affairs. Riding is altogether different in South 
Africa as it is in Austraha, Canada or America. The country is 
clear and open and jumping of necessity falls away. The ‘‘achter- 
ryder’’ has his proteges in the syce, mafoo or -bettoe of India, 
China or Japan. Burchell when travelling in South Africa in 1820- 
22 also remarked upon this custom. The ‘‘achterryder’’ is an 
accompanying orderly or groom, who is to take care of the horses 


(12) Captain M. H. Hayes. ‘‘ Among Horses in South Africa.’. 1900. 


68 


on a long journey; but as frequently he was an object of outward 
show."* 

We find thus that the methods practised for the two centuries 
preceding 1860 were very simple and effective and made very small 
demands on extra feed and care as long as the conditions for such 
free studs were favorable, that is, when new pasturages and fresh 
streams of water were abundant. The good sense the farmers 
showed those days in the selection of their stallions, and their meth- 
ods in training and managing their teams and riding-horses have 
done much to make that branch of their agricultural pursuits very 
efficient and valuable. With closer settlement, the fencing in of 
the farms and the increase of the flocks and herds of cattle, the 
facilities of the past gradually shrunk within the confines of the 
farm and in periods of drought and scarcity there were no new pas. 
tures to retreat to and the extra feed and water had to be supphed 
by the farmer; this demand has been considered extravagant; for 
the flocks of Merinos and Angoras were found to thrive well under 
conditions that are unfavorable to the successful rearing of horses 
—for horses frequently will not graze where other animals have 
browsed before—and owing to the loss of the Indian market for the 
usual supply of remounts and the comparatively more lucrative 
occupation of wool :sheep farming the horse-breeding industry was 
gradually being shifted on the back shelf. . 

This preference of other branches of pastoral farming at the 
expense of another, has been one of the most serious causes of the 
deterioration of the Cape horse. 

Many hints and good advice have been given by the Government 
and eminent breeders and expert horsemen; but the stone was roll- 
ing and the Cape horse so efficient before this period and on which 
so much care and pride was bestowed in the past was left to work 
out his own salvation. In a few localities, here and there in the 
Colony as well as in the neighboring independencies, luckily, the 
standard of the previous decades was kept up and there is still 
good hope to have the number of good horses as plentiful, propor- 
tionately, as the number of good Merino sheep and valuable pedi- 
gree ostriches or Angoras. ; 

With the advent of a new era in matters of agriculture, new 
machmery, new methods and new ideas, the order of things needs 


(13) William Burchell, ‘‘ Travels in Southern Africa. 1822.’’ 


69 


must be nodified and with an intelligent application of new meth- 
ods to older and well tried ones there surely need be no overlapping 
of the several industries nor the exclusion of the one at the expense 
and detriment of the other; we should be more resourceful and 
wise enough to meet such demands as would be well worth the 
extra trouble. Whatever, though, we do, we should not omit those 
methods which have made the Cape Horse the equal and often 
a better in the company of any breed of horses when hardiness, 
endurance and stamina were called for. We should supply his 
just wants, without any cuddling and peppering which may tend 
to make him a ‘‘soft animal’’, like his brother in Europe and 
other countries, thereby making him more susceptible to disease 
than otherwise. He should be as much as possible a product of 
Nature. This is the lesson of the past that should not be forgotten 
when the new and very necessary methods become more general. 
Another lesson from the days when horse-breeding was in its zenith 
is the selection of stallions which after fulfilling all the ordinary 
requirements of pedigree, height, bone, conformation and race 
course records will also prove their sterling qualities in their off- 
spring. 

The gist of all the advanced arguments and propounded theo- 
ries on the question of deterioration of the Cape Horse as far as 
they are concerned with the methods of improving the breed and 
have also been practised to some extent, may be summed up in the 
following sentences, giving extracts from articles written by various 
experts on the matter. 

Veterinary Surgeon J. A. Nunn in a very interesting article 
advises that some extra feeding must be done during the scanty 
winter months. Special care should be given to the brood mares and 
foals; it is practically of no use to feed the two-year-olds when 
they have already been permanently stunted in growth by a course 
of starvation; they should be given some shelter during the severe 
cold weather of the worst winter months and well fed for the first 
two years and then allowed to take charge of themselves and increase 
that hardiness and stamina which are the chief characteristics of 
his breed.** 

To resort to additional feeding for any length of time may not 
be practicable, not economical and too expensive; but it all depends 


(14) Reports on the Horse Supply of South Africa—Archives 1888. 


70 


from what source the extra feed is obtained; if this has to be bought 
it is quite clear that the foal would not be able to pay his rent; but 
it so happens that the best horse breeding districts possess large 
tracts of arrable land and these are not cultivated owing to the long 
distance from the railway and the consequent high cost of produc- 
tion; this land can with the application of the dryland system of 
cultivation be made to produce all the necessary extra supphes of 
feed, that are wanted for the successful rearing of a crop of excell- 
ent foals; and the mares themselves as well as the three-year-olds 
can be put to this work; the mares are tamed and this is always of 
decided advantage and the foals are all the better in getting accus- 
tomed to man and the general routine of the farmyard. Some good 
advice can be taken note of from the methods practised by our 
neighbors in German South West Africa, where they have given 
preference to the Cape Horse as foundation stock after having given 
a trial to almost every other breed. Putting aside the usual method- 
ical precautions and practices which will be quite right in a stud 
in Germany but quite superfluous here; we can still pick up many 
a good hint. 

Herr Schlettwein, one of the few and a very successful horse 
breeder advises that the mares should do their share of the farm 
work; a moderate amount of ploughing after the breeding season 
will do the brood mares every goed; she is tamed and is easier 
handled and the wildness of the foals is gradually overcome Be- 
sides developing the strength and general structure of the mare she 
also helps paying her keep by providing the extra food she and her 
foal require in scanty periods. 

This is a practise which is quite overlooked in South Africa 
generally ; very few mares are broken in and in the breeding season 
a troop is more difficult to handle than at ordinary times and this 
is undoubtedly one of the reasons why many of our methods in 
breeding and managing are so slipshod and careless and too often 
unsuccessful and unprofitable. 

In his excellent book Schlettwein lays great stress on the selec- 
tion of the breeding material and points out that the breeding of 
horses is of far greater importance than that of sheep or cattle; 
for ill-bred specimens of these can easily be disposed of to the 
butcher, whereas the badly bred horse lives to breed on or fails to 
find a market.1° Most of the European and American fodder 
(15) Carl Schlettwein. ‘‘Die Farmer in Deutsch Siidwestafrika 1909.’’ 


Ad 


erasses are grown with success as soon as the proper varieties for 
the various localities are fixed upon and it has been proved over and 
over by enterprising farmers in all the horse-breeding districts with 
a little extra attention and exertion sufficient extra food could be 
supplied very cheaply to carry the foals, brood mares and other 
young stock through the two or three severest winter months. With 
very little expense large hay stacks con also be made of the indi- 
genous grasses, which in the height of the season are most luxuriant, 
and is very nutritive as a hay fodder—these haystacks are an excel- 
lent precaution against an unexpected drought, when the ordinary 
winter supplies run out. The famous studs of Malmesbury Rob- 
ertson and Caledon are situated in the richest grain districts and 
the methods above described are in full practice and they have also 
eradually found an adoption in those districts that are in greater 
need of them, owing to the lower percentage of the annual rainfall ; 
but there is yet room for vast improvement and some knowledge of 
economic farming and modern ideas and principles of intelligent 
manipulation of the various forces of agricultural wealth must be 
instilled into the minds of the rising generation. Thanks to the 
exertions of a wise and liberal Government things are moving in the 
right direction and great results have been and are being achieved. 

Although man cannot change Nature’s laws, he certainly can 
direct her forces to his advantage and minimize their severity, and 
the failure to realize this fact to a fuller extent has been the cause 
that every drought carries away hundreds of thousands of stock 
through starvation, when about half if not all of it cauld have been 
saved. To lose stock during the ordinary severe winter months is 
due to sheer neglect and such farmers deserve the censure if not . 
the just contempt of their neighbors who do not lose any through 
want of food. 

In these days of specilization it would be unwise to keep up a 
certain farming industry at the expense of others or where the re- 
quirements necessary for its successful upkeep cannot be met with 
by the natural resources om the locality. 

Extensive and intensive systems of farming should be closely 
studied and the relative value of each compared in proportion to 
cost of production. We frequently come across farmers who put 
all their attention into a dairy herd when the nearest creamery or 
railway station is some twenty or thirty miles away; all extra 


72 


food supplies are given the dairy herd while his young stock, fine 
tollies and most promising foals are subjected to spare diet in order 
to get ‘‘quick returns’’ from the dairy—the tollies are three years 
late for the market and they are poor beef cattle even at that, while 
the promising foals run in a mob and find no market. Does the 
dairy make up for all this? This wise man keeps no diary along 
with his dairy and ignorance is bliss. Instances of this are unhap- 
pily too frequent and can only be rectified by education; happily 
the enterprise is there, extra feed is supplied but fed into wrong 
channels. 

Horse-breeding should not be carried on where the natural and 
first requirements for the successful rearing of sound and useful 
' animals are wanting. In the selection of a farm for horse-breed- 
ing, nothing can excel a limestone formation, as the water and 
grasses of such farms so situated contain a due proportion of those 
minerals so essential to the natural formation and development of 
bone.*® Low marchy grounds are very unfavorable to the consti- 
tution of the horse, to the oriental or Thoroughbred type at least 
and tend to make him coarse, unwieldy and generally unsound. 
South Africa happily possesses large tracts of land containing these 
requirements in addition to the extremely dry air and a temperate 
climate and is eminently suited for horse-breeding—especially of 
the Arab and his kind who find there a second home under better 
grazing conditions and besides the Thoroughbred can no where else 
be bred to better perfection. 

With the proper farm selected and thoroughly fenced and di- 
vided into separate camps—this is a sine qua non in practical and 
successful horse-breeding—proper accommodation must be provided 
for the stallions and good shelter for the mares during the cold 
winter months, for although well fed he will not grow and since this 
want of size is often the only complaint against our horses, the shelter 
from cold is an absolute imperative in order that every facility be 
given the young foal to grow. By these shelters are not meant 
the stabling of about two hundred and more of brood mares and 
foals; but such sheds as would give sufficient warmth on cold and 
frosty nights and can be made use of by the animals at their own 


(16) Compare Dr. H. C. Hutcheon, Chief Veterinary Surgeon and later Di- 
rector of Agriculture for the Cape Colony. Ag. Jour. of Cape Colony 
1906. 


pleasure and where sufficient hay and other feeds are in easy reach 
of the animals. 

The districts in the Union best adapted by nature to the profit- 
able rearing of horses are all the districts about the Cape peninsula, 
especially Malmesbury, Caledon, Swellendam Montague and Rob- 
ertson; to the west and west central; the famous Bokkeveld (the 
old Hantam of the 18th Century) and the districts of the New Han- 
tam of the early days of the 19th century and comprising to-day 
the districts of Colesberg, Hanover, Beaufort West, Prince Albert, 
Hopetown and all those districts bordering on the southern bank of 
the Orange river and east of the Colesberg district. In the east 
and south east; the districts of: Somerset East, Graaf-Reinet, 
Cradock, Middleburg, Tarka Stad and certain portions of Grikwa- 
land East. Also portions of Grikwaland West, all of the Orange 
Free State Province, a greater portion of Natal Provinee, and all 
of those districts of the Transvaal Province bordering on the banks 
of the Vaal river. With very few exceptions these districts all lie 
in those localities which are underlaid by the geological strata of 
the Karroo beds which are generally rich in lime and produce very 
good grasses; with sufficient rainfall and succulent and nutritive 
shrubs and other plants in localities of smaller rainfall.” 

‘‘RKew parts in the world are so well adapted by nature for the 
breeding of horses’’ as those just mentioned ‘‘and it is surprising 
that this industry, the most profitable branch of pastoral farming 
is not pursued on more defined lines by the average South African 
farmer—other countries may compete and beat us out of the field 
with wool. Also Mohair and Ostrich feathers are articles subject 
to the caprices of the leaders of fashion—and they are very capri- 
cious—and consequently liable to serious fluctuation in prices. But 
the demand for good horses is large and continuous and no country 
in the world can rear better horses and more economically than in 
these localities of the Union, where the dreaded disease of ‘‘roar- 
ing’’ is unknown and horse sickness seldom prevails and can be made 
absolutely harmless. In a well regulated stud I question if the last 
named disease would ever be heard of.’’*® 

Coming to more modern times we find that only those studs 


(17) Grey Rattray. Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope Vol. 
XXXIII. Also Rogers and du Toit. ‘‘ Geology of Cape Colony 1910.’’ 

(18) Grey Rattray. Agricultural Jour. of the Cape of Good Hope. Vol. 
XXXIII. 


WA 


that are conducted by methods that keep pace with the times and 
existing conditions are in a flourishing condition. 

If we read the scanty accounts on horse-breeding in the 17th 
Century correctly, we find that besides all the praiseworthy methods 
of selecting good sires and the grading of brood mares the feeding 
problem has been a fundamental one. 

Referring again to Lichtenstein’s accounts we find that the best 
studs were those where crops were raised and that undoubtedly 
extra feeds were supplied if they were required—which do not seem 
to have been the case of considering the extent of new and fresh pas- 
tures. Remarking on the studs in the South he mentions that‘‘ Euro- 
pean grasses are cultivated with great success and especially does 
lucerne do well. Lucerne fields frequently yield eight cuttings dur- 
ing the season.’’ 

Tt may incidentally be mentioned here that this particular 
region has its rainy season during the winter months. It is a mild 
winter. Forage and good pastures abound and even during the 
summer months there is sufficient rainfall to keep the pastures and 
forage crops in good condition. The same conditions exist for the 
districts of Mantagu, Robertson and Caledon lying South East of 
the Cape Peninsula, and containing some very valuable studs. 

The northern and north eastern districts and all the rest have 
their rainy season during the summer. They are semi-arid regions 
and the winter although a snowless one is fairly severe and the pas- 
tures are withered up and of poor nourishing value. Still these 
plateau regions with its dry air and rich lime formations are the 
best horse-breeding districts. 

The northern studs in the Hantam district were situated along 
never failing brooks or fountains, the soils of which were rich and . 
the grass very nourishing. The flat-topped hills also afford im- 
munity to the horses during the season when ‘‘horse-sickness’’ pre- 
vails. With few exceptions these localities are the best horse-breed- 
ing districts. The stud ‘‘Grote Toorn’’ which was famous then 
and consisted of ‘‘over 300 breeding horses and some of the best 
English and Arabian Stallions,’’is still perhaps the most famous stud 
to-day. It is now owned by Sir Abe Bailey and some of South 
Africa’s most famous runners are bred here. 

The method in practice here and typical for all the other great 
breeders of this district which holds more of these rich farmers 


Ini 
(0 


than any other, are about the same as those practised by the farmers 
of more than a century ago, besides that greater attention is paid 
to the proper feeding of the young stock. 

‘‘Pure-bred stock is largely used and are well provided for by 
large lucerne fields. The troop of horses consist of 100 veld mares 
of colonial type—as much as possible on the lines of the old Hantam 
animal—and 50 Thoroughbreds. There are no less than six Thor- 
oughbred stallions, among them are: 

1. Leisure Hour of the St. Simon stock and a great asset to the 
stud. 2. Sidus (St. Simon—Star of Fortune by Hermit). 3. Per- 
seus (Persimmin—Urania—Hanover—Wandah). 4. Abelard by 
Leisure Hour is South African bred. He is a bay and sixteen hands 
high and the winner of numerous prizes. 

The other two are of good pedigree and obtained at high prices 
and all are in excellent condition. 

An extensive range of loose boxes are fitted up for the Thor- 
oughbreds, while ranges upon ranges of sheds are available for the 
other home-bred mares and for the young stock. There is plenty 
of excellent grazing and lucerne for the young stock and brood 
mares.’’1® 

With the exception of the number and standard of stallions 
the studs in this region—Colesbery district—are of the same style. 
The prime factor is the feeding of the young stock and the protec- 
tion against extreme cold weather. 

Another description of a stud with a century’s fame from the 
same source would not be out of place here. It is the stud of Mr. 
van Zyl now owned by Mr. Schimpers. This farm was devoted to 
this purpose since 1819 when Mr. Louw was assigned it by Lord 
Charles Somerset and bought Sorcerer, the finest horse seen at the 
Cape up to that time.?® He also brought Sir Hercules imported in 
utero and son of the great Irish horse Sir Hercules from the old 
Hantam and possessed between three and four hundred breeding 
stock. The van Zyl’s have been carrying on work here systematic- 
ally since 1849 and for many years had few equals in all the settled 
parts. The name of van Zyl, Melek and Kotzé was for many de- 
cades the highest pedigree amongst farmers in their own and other 
districts and even in the old republics. 


(19) F. D. McDermott. Rural Cape Colony in Agricultural Journal of Cape of 
Good Hope Vol XXVII. 
(20) Records of the Cape Colony No. 389. 


76 


It was here that some of the most famous racers and winners 
of the day were bred. ‘‘It was here that Sir Amyas Leigh, Hark- 
away, St. Augustine, Champagne Charlie, War Eagle, and many 
horses of fame, pedigree and real merit have followed one another 
at stud through half a century and gave the racing world such 
eracks as Prosecutor, Debtor, Friendship and others. The pro- 
geny of the Arab ‘‘Damascus’’ increased the list with Robroy. 
Hantam Beile, Witkous and many more.’’ 

‘“The atmosphere of the old homestead is redolent of the 
Thoroughbred. How could it be otherwise when in the entrance 
hall one of the first things that catches the eye among a fine col- 
lection of horns, heads and sporting trophies isthe pastern of the 
famous ‘‘Champagne Charlie’’ the sire of Hard Cach, Evelyn 
Wood, and others whose names are written in the classic records 
of great performers.’’ 

These were the palmy days of racing in South Africa when 
with the importation of some of the best Thoroughbreds from Kng- 
land the Standard was a high one and the speed terriffic. These 
days are gone and the horses too, but they are great records to live 
up to—to breed to. What has been done can be done again. 

An encouraging feature is that the breeders in this greatest 
and best horse-breeding district are all aiming at reproducing the 
old Hantam type with improvements. ‘‘And it is gratifying to 
know,’’ remarks Mr. MeDermot in 1905 after an extensive survey 
of most of the studs in these localities, ‘‘that there is every prospect 
of the breed being revived as soon as suitable mares are available. 
It takes time only; with the introduction of such excellent blood 
into the district, the day should not be far off when the old glories 
are revived.’’ 

Other Thoroughbred studs exist in the Eastern districts. Most 
famous perhaps is that of Senator Charles Southey who bred Camp- 
fire Il that went to show England that South Africa can breed 
Thoroughbreds equal to its own. At Holesowen Mr. Hilton Barber 
also keeps up an excellent stud with good blood stock both colonial 
and imported. Both the Transvaal Orange Free State studs breed 
from Thoroughbreds mainly. The Transvaal Turf Club is well pro- 
vided for by the studs of several of the great mine owners and other 
wealthy. men. The Hon. Wyndham and Mr. Charles Wood are 
very prominent breeders of great winners. And many excellent 


Uh 


runners and horses of great value are bred by Messrs. Schimpers, 
van der Merwe, Wessels and many other breeders in the Orange 
Free State. Both Sir John French and General Botha got their 
favorite chargers from Mr. van der Merwe’s stud during the war 
and feats done by representatives of these studs are worth to be 
scrolled on the classic records of great horses; it is a great pity no 
fuller accounts are obtainable of the methods and registers of these 
studs as they would act as strong advertisements and incentives to 
breed on the best lines and produce the best. 

Among other methods for the furtherence of horse-breeding 
may be menticned the Government Studs, Experimental Stations 
and Agricultural Schools; all under the control of the Agricultural 
Department, which although on a smaller scale is firmly based on 
the lines of the Agricultural Department of the United States.** 

The history of these institutions are like that of the country 
itself, subjected to continual change and frequently total oblit- 
eration; and it is impossible to give a continued account of them. 
With the decline of the general horse stock that began after 1860. 
the Thoroughbred fell into disuse for some time and Hackneys, 
Clevelands and Roadsters were imported by the Government and 
breeders and either stood at stud on some Government station or 
other, were leased to great breeders or sold to them. 

The use of these breeds as sires with the hght Cape mare soon 
fell into disuse and are now only used either in a first instalment 
crossing or as pure-breds. 

Government studs date back as early as 1804, when among 
others “‘some Hantam mares improved by crosses with imported 
English horses were purchased and Mr. van Reyneveld allowed the 
services of a handsome stallion gratis.’’*” 

The Stud or Government farm as it was called contained 
25,30814 acres and was situated in the Malmesbury district. In 
1823 it was still in existence and at the command of Lord Charles 
it was increased among others by two imported Thoroughbreds of 
eood pedigree and high spirit. The fee for covering mares was 
six rixdollars. Since then we lose sight of this stud and it seems 
the Government farms were abandoned and the great horse breed- 
ers of those days: Cloete, van Reenen, van Zyl, Kotzé, van Breda, 


(21) Compare Dr. Wiliam Macdonald The Transvaal Agricultural Journal 
Vol. IV. 
(22) Records of the Cape Colony Vol. XV. 


78 


Reitz, Rogerson, Melek and others became the trustees for the up- 
keep of a high standard and improvement of the breed, which 
reached its highest point in the fifties of the last century. 

It is impossible to give a full survey of the varions studs and 
the material used; but collectively they show that about 95 percent 
of the sires used are Thoroughbreds. Here and there Arabs are 
found and also Hackneys and Clevelands, but they are only used as 
first instalment sires in improved studs. 

In the provinces of the Orange Wree State and Transvaal the 
Government owns several excellent stud farms. 

At Greotviei in the Orange Free State there are 17 Thorough- 
breds, four Arabs, one Shire and one half-breed. These stallions 
are leased out to the farmers during the breeding season. The 
farm also possesses a well selected troop of colonial mares and year- 
lings are sold at very low prices to farmers.”* 

The Transvaal Province possesses an excellent stud at Stander- 
ton, with 19 stallions of high pedigree. With the exception of two 
or three all are Thoroughbreds. They are leased to the farmers 
during the breeding season who eagerly apply for them. The 
manager, however, complains that there are still too many ‘‘weedy’’ 
sires about the country. 

Referring to horse-breeding in the Orange Free State the F'rst 
Annual Report of the Agricultural Department of the Colony in 
1905 remarks that ‘*‘Previous to 1904 no systematic organization 
existed, although much has been done in the development and im- 
provement of various farm animals by importation from England 
and elsewhere.”’ 

““Several farmers and breeders have kept private records and 
practised the introduction of fresh blood from over sea from time 
to time, so that several really pure-bred strains were to be found 
although not in recognized Stock Registers. All these men recog- 
nized that the Boer Horse, Afrikander Cattle and Cape sheep were 
indigenous and of pure type and worthy of improvement and per- 
petuation. The wonderful ability of these breeds is characteris- 
tically emphasized in the Afrikander ox—large, heavy, and of beau- 
tiful conformation, rich bay color (red) maintaining good condition 
in severest droughts and capable of just. keeping up a living and 


(23) First Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture of the Orange 
River Colony 1904-5. 


79 


growing in good seasons, It matures at 5-6 years and will turn the 
seale at 1000 lbs. and over. 

These remarks on the only indigenous greed of cattle may be 
expounded on at great length, for they show what can be achieved 
by breeding for a definite purpose and intelligent selection. The 
Afrikander cattle are pure-bred to-day and possess excellent qual- 
ities—foremost being extraordinary hardiness together with com- 
paratively great scale and weight and of singular beauty of sym 
“metry. j 

The methods used in the production of this excellent breed of 
cattle have, however, not been followed with the same fixedness of 
purpose in horse-breeding. There were undoubtedly definite aims 
in the methods of the farmers up to 1870 for until then their stock 
was of oriental blood and their sires either Thoroughbreds or Arabs, 
but as we have seen, these were later substituted by Hackneys, Cleve- 
lands and even ‘‘ Holsteins and Cart-horse’’ sires; and with the 
results of these we are already familiar. Thus although there would 
seem no difficulty to know which sires would be the best we find, 
however, a great diversity of opinion on this matter. This may be 
owing to the desire of some breeders to produce a heavier type for 
general work; heavier than the Thoroughbred and yet not as heavy 
as the draft breeds and still possess the hardiness and other good 
qualities of the Cape Horse. This ideal has not been realized as 
yet and somehow or other it seemed a failure for most of the breeders 
have reverted to the Thoroughbred and others have taken to breed- 
ing pure-bred draft horses. 

At the Robertson Agricultural Show in 1905, Dr. Hutcheon 
after remarking on the great improvement in the entries for horses 
and the excellence of the number of stallions of various breeds went ~ 
on to say that: ‘‘It is a delicate matter to give definite advice to 
farmers which stallion to use. It is a generally recognized fact in 
breeding that the symmetry, quality and general conformation of 
the progeny follow the sire more than the dam, more especially when 
the sire is a pure-bred (which should always be) and the dam is not. 
It is therefore a matter of serious consideration for breeders whether 
the stallions in the land are the right ones for begetting the class 
of horses they should aim at. Energy and enterprise are not want 
ine. Some of the sires used cost their owners high prices. But it 
is evident, judging by the great variety of type and character of 


h 
80 


stallion which is represented at our shows that there is a lack of 
definiteness in the minds of those that have imported them.’’** 

Turning to sources relating to the question of selecting a sire 
we find that the best authorities are all agreed that the right type 
of Thoroughbred is the best sire for mating with the best type of 
Cape mare. There are others, however, backed by some of the best 
breeders who think differently. Nunn holds that ‘‘if money were 
no object and the ideal type of Thoroughbred could be obtained he 
would use nothing else but the Thoroughbred; but as it is a con- 
sideration he would get an animal with size, power, bone and sub- 
stance and as much breeding as can be afforded, but would not sink 
all other considerations on pedigree which has unfortunately too 
often been done.’’? 

Rattray in quoting Montgomery Martin in the Racing Calendar 
of 1885, remarks that ‘‘as regards sires, the experience of the 
breeders of the world has proved that nothing beats the Thorough- 
bred. The Thoroughbred used in England for the begetting of 
hunters should be used for the begetting of good remounts from 
the Cape mare. He should be strong enough to carry sixteen stone 
over any country and his stoutness should have been proved by the 
usual test of his having carried heavy weights to victory over a try- 
ing course. At this time—1885—we possessed several stallions 
coming up to this standard, they were: Buxton, Elf King, Fire 
King, Catalpa, Harkaway. They were all Thoroughbreds of great 
weight, high pedigree and they have proved their good mettle on the 
race course; but their type is too seldom met with throughout the 
land.”’ 

On the selection of brood mares this authority remarks: There 
are thousands of mares suited for breeding remounts from. The 
average price is £15—a price that will be trebled at Horncastle or 
any other great English fair. — 

Only those mares of at least three infusions of imported Thor- 
oughbred blood in their veins should be taken. They should be 15 
hands high, possess a large barrel, strong back, long and broad 
quarters, muscular thighs, large boned hocks, well set back shoulder, 
strong fore arms and plenty of bone below the knee—-714 inches 
girth being the minimum. Smaller mares should be mated with 


(24) Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope No. 3, Vol. XXVI, 1900. 
(25) Army Veterinary Department. J. A. Nunn. Reports on the Horse Sup- 
ply of South Africa. ~ 


81 


Roadsters and their fillies when crossed with the Thoroughbreds 
would produce the exact article wanted. Nunn also holds that 
‘‘there would not be the slightest danger of introducing three parts 
bred sires; for whatever the bad qualities may be, the Cape mare 
cannot be said to be wanting in breeding—on the contrary there is 
generally too much of it.’’ He proceeds to discuss the various half 
breds which may do as a good first instalment for second-class mares, 
serving their fillies to the right type of Thoroughbred. 

Clevelands: Good upstanding Clevelands weuld be good sires 
if the right type is selected; but they are often inclined to be long 
in the barrel, slack ribbed-up and to run to leg; avoiding such 
points a good Cleveland should produce fine harness horses when 
mated to selected Cape mares. Some ten years ago and earlier, 
Clevelands were great favorites; but their reputation seemed to 
have been the result of a boom for they fell into disfavor as quickly. 
only to come up again some time later; they seem to have served 
their time in South Africa and as a first instalment stallion he is 
to-day only used as a last resource. His progeny are often too long 
in the leg and long in the barrel, and somehow or other they will 
not trot over the same distance with such comparative ease as would 
the sons of other half bred sires; it seems, however, that the mis- 
take lies more in the selection of both the sire and dam. Mr. Rob- 
ertson a very successful preeder of thoroughbred stock in Colesberg 
district remarks that ‘‘Cleveland bays are absolutely useless—out 
here they seem to lose all character and being a long loose built 
animal, his faults are intensified in his progeny.’’”*° Another breeder 
Mr. Schimpers of the famous Haneglip stud of over half a century’s 
fame also used Clevelands once but has taken to Thoroughbreds 
once more; although he thinks that as first istalment sires they 
did very well. 

Norfolk Trotter: He is often a cross with a cart mare and the 
greatest care should be used to get a clean-limbed, pure-bred animal. 
He is cheaper than a good Thoroughbred, or even a first class Hack- 
ney and if well chosen he would do well as a first instalment. Hack- 
neys, Oldenburghs, Ostfriesians and breeds of that type both in 
breeding and size will probably make the best sires for grading and 
developing the average brood mare for breeding excellent remounts 
and carriage horses; they have generally, when some care is taken, 


(26) Agricultural Journal of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 


82 


all the required bone, substance and size that the majority of Cape 
mares lack. 

Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons and their type of heavy breeds 
should not be used indiscriminately as a crossing on light Cape 
mares as has unluckily and unwisely been done in the past, in order 
to improve the size in the Cape Horse. It is breeding with a ven- 
geance; there should be at least some affinity in sire and dam and 
extreme unions should be approached gradually. 

Once the choice of a stallion for a particular troop of brood 
mares is decided upon; the stallion, when owned by the breeder, 
should receive, besides good food and grooming also good exercise ; 
he will beget better stock and the possibility of becoming impotent 
will be avoided, which is a misfortune that may result 1f a stallion 
becomes too fat owing to a lack of proper exercise—one of the 
famous Hambletonians being a case in point. 

A private stud book used giving full particulars of every mare 
and its offspring and the stallions they were served to will be of 
very great help and elucidate matters when breeding for a partic- 
ular purpose when selecting or grading mares for a ceriain sire. 

It is encouraging to know that most of these methods are prac- 
tised by some breeders scattered over the various Provinces; but 
we cannot impress too much their general adoption on every farmer 
who keeps a few brood mares—and very few there are who do not. 

Once things are done with better method on a system that is 
seasoned with experience and intelligent cbservation and formers 
breed with a definite purpose there is no doubt but that horse- 
breeding can grow into a great and profitable industry and a source 
of wealth to the country at large, even if we do not export a single 
one. 

‘‘A prosperous community’’—and the average South African 
farmer in comparison with his average brother on the Continent, 
Great Britain and America is certainly very prosperous—‘‘requires 
good horses, so that the demand for good horses will always in- 
erease.’’?? 


(27) Dr. Hutcheon, Chief Veterinary Surgeon to the Cape Government in Re- 
port of Select Committee on Horse Breeding in the Colony Archives 1891. 


83 


CHAPTER III. 


THE CAPE HORSE 
(a) CHARACTERISTICS. 


The Cape Horse passes under many names. English writers 
often refer to him as the Colonial, the South African, the Cape and 
the Boer horse. German writers also use these synonomous terms 
and the same may be said of Dutch (Holland) writers. The South 
African farmer really has no particular name for the best type of 
Cape Horse, but speaks of a ‘‘well-bred horse’’, or adds the name of 
the breeder as a pedigree, as a van Zyl’s, Melck’s, Kotze’s or Han- 
tam horse. The cob of no reliable breeding is called a ‘‘Bossie 
KMopes 

It would be best to adopt the name Cape Horse, for under this 
name South African bred horses have gained a high reputation far 
beyond our shores. The light horse found to-day from the Cape to 
the Zambezi, possesses Thoroughbred or Oriental blood in some 
measure and with varying type may easily be brought under the 
collective name of Cape Horse. 

In 1906 Mr. C. G. Lee, chairman of the South African Stud 
Book Association remarks that ‘‘The question of establishing a 
breed of South African horses has had much consideration by breed- 
ers interested in the South African Stud Book. The Transvaal 
breeders have given the subject as much thought as any and a 
standard limiting the size of the horse they wish to breed has been 
drawn up. This standard fixing the height at 14.2 hands was sub- 
mitted to the Central Committee of the South African Stud Book 
and was accepted under the name of the ‘‘Boer Horse.’’? 

The Transvaal and Orange Free State breeders have many 
breeders who could breed this type for its excellent characteristics. 

The Cape and Natal breeders are desirous of producing a 
larger animal than that fixed by the Transvaal. Mr. Lee objects 
to the name ‘‘ Boer Horse.’’ He argues that since this horse owed 
much of its virtues to the Thoroughbred blood in its veins it never 
was and never can be a ‘‘ Boer Horse’’. 


(1) Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, Vol. XXVIII, 1906. 


84 


To my mind no other name is more appropriate and it is only 
for the sake of uniformity that I would suggest the name Cape Horse 
for the light South African bred horse. Mr. Lee is probably labor- 
ing under the impression that ‘‘ Boer Horse’’ designates the mongrel 
type of horse in South Africa—this type is called the ‘‘Kaffir 
horse,’’ which is, through careless breeding and bad keeping a mis- 
erable animal and in spite of his original descent from Oriental and 
English blood is to-day the ‘‘misera plebs’’ of the horse tribe; 
luckily, however, there are not too many of them and have next to 
no influence on the horse stock in general.’’” 

The Cape Horse certainly owes much to the Thoroughbred ; but 
as we know from previous chapters the foundation stock rests on 
very pure Oriental strains. The first colonists under the Dutch rule 
who took up farming were called ‘‘Boeren’’ (farmers). They took 
up horse-breeding as early as 1665 and we know that their horses 
were of a splendid type even before the importation of Thorough- 
breds and should they have chosen to call their breed of horses 
‘The Boer Horse’’ nothing would be more natural and appropri- 
ate. Sir Robert Wright on South African live stock remarks: ‘‘the 
‘Boer Horse’ and ‘Basuto Pony’ are native types and 13.2-14 
hands high, stout in build and rounded in frame. The predomt- 
nant colour is bay or brown. ‘They are very hardy, possess much 
‘staying power’ and capable of doing much saddle work and light 
cart work on coarse fodder and in comparison with their size carry 
heavy weights.’”® 

Mr. Lee covered up his sweeping statement by saying that ‘‘the 
whole question of registration of horses is so beset with difficulties 
that it might be left alone until the Stud Book is in a stronger po- 
sition and those responsible for it had a little more experience.’’ 

A systematic and scientific discussion of the characteristics 
of the Cape Horse is well nigh impossible. Up to the present the 
breed has not been thoroughly established and with the exception 
of a few private registers no reliable records exist. 

Accounts of the Cape Horse since 1652 are frequently inter- 
spersed with every variety of description in a very casual way. 

The old Archives and Records of the Cape of those days make 
frequent mention of ‘‘beautiful stallions’’ and useful ‘‘little ani- 


(2) Graf C. G. von Wrangel ‘‘ Die Rassen des Pferdes’’ 1908- 
(3) Prof. k. Patrick Wright *‘ The Standard Cyclopedia of Modern Agriculture 
and Rural Economy 1911. 


85 


mals.’’ They were of Oviental strains and these horses were never 
over 14.2 hands high; even the illustrous founders of the Thorough- 
bred stock were not over 14 hands, although some credit them with 
15 and more.t Thus for the first century and a half the Cape 
Horse certainly was not higher than 14.2 hands high and possessed 
as has been proved before the characteristics of his Oriental an- 
cestors in a very high degree. 

As early as 1796 horses were exported to India and were the 
first horses to carry British cavalry to success in that country. 
These importations were continued and from various accounts we 
find that he was not a beauty, and his good qualities were discred- 
ited on this score. In 1838 Major Havelock’s Cape horses were 
condemned as unfit and undersized yet their staying power and 
general ‘‘good doing’’ under all trying conditions of the most try- 
ing campaigns in foreign lands—the sun-scorched plains of India 
and the Crimean snows—they maintained their good character, was 
unsurpassed as a remount and gained that excellent reputation 
based on the principle of the old adage ‘‘handsome is as handsome 
does.’’ 

The first expert description of the Cape Horse is given by Lt. 
Col. Richardson in 1845. The average remount was described as a 
compact, well-knit, weil-lomed and shortlegged animal. Bay was the 
prevaient color and the average height was 14.5 36/133 hands. He 
was quiet, steady and good tempered in the ranks, sound in consti- 
tution and by no means predisposed to disease of any kind. The 
average sick was infinitely smaller than in a like number in Eng- 
lewayely <2 

During the Indian Mutiny, 1854, England got all her horses 
from South Africa and these are still spoken of by cavalry officers 
as ‘‘the finest lot of horses ever imported into India. They stood 
the climate much better than any other (Australian and Arabs) ; 
they were hardier, worked to a more advanced age and were un- 
surpassed as cavalry horses.’”° 

Another expert report several years later and since a general 
deterioration has set in, is much less favorable. Veterinary Sur- 
(4) Sir Walter Gilbey ‘‘Small Horses in Warfare’’ 1908. 

(5) eee ne to the purchase of Remounts at the Cape, etc., Bluebook 
45, ete.. 


(6) Report on the Horse Supply of South Africa...J. A. Nunn, Vet. Surgeon to 
Deputy Adjudant General Capetwon 1888. 


86 


geon Nunn describes the average amount then supplied as: ‘‘ A small 
animal, stunted in growth and generally about 14.2-14.3 hands 
high, only few being much taller; deficient in bone, few if any 
measuring 7° inches below the knee; pinned in at the elbows; good 
shoulders and forehand; narrow chest very badly coupled and 
ribbed up; with bad drooping quarters; badly developed muscles 
of the croup and thighs. In fact to sum up the whole matter: the 
South African remount is, although small, good before and bad be- 
hind the saddle.’** In the British Remount Report after the war 
already made use of we find that although few good horses were 
then found yet they were the ‘‘best’’ and ‘‘unsurpassed.’’ — 

Count C. G. Wrangel in his work ‘‘Die Rassen des Pferdes’’ 
published 1908 gives the following description of the Cape Horse: 
‘“The head is rather large but not clumsy; a fine slender neck; 
strong back and a strong, somewhat drooping croup; long and well 
placed shoulders with long forearm and short canons; of quiet 
temperament and extraordinary hardiness. He is an excellent ight 
cavalry horse but not much good as a carriage horse. The height 
at the withers is 156-158 ¢.m. (15.2-16 hands). Quaddekker, the 
Dutch authority on the horse endorses these remarks and gives the 
Orange Free State Transvaal horses 2-4 extra centimeters.’ These 
heights as we know are exceptional and cannot be taken as the gen- 
eral height of the Cape Horse. 

More recently thousands of horses were exported to the neigh- 
boring German and Portuguese Colonies, Germany alone buying 
over 9000 animals. The German account of these animals is not 
at all flattering. An eminent farmer in an excellent book on 
‘‘Harming in German South West Africa’’ writes the following: 
““They show characteristics which according to home ideas would 
be condemned as bad faults. Drooping hind quarters, sheep-necked 
and cow-hocked, and a too straight shoulder are frequent mistakes ; 
but these are more often merely beauty faults brought about by 
adaptation to veld conditions. On the other hand, they possess 
many good qualities that amply make up for minor mistakes. The 
‘Afrikaner’ horse is certainly an ideal type to breed from as foun- 
dation stock and should not be Judged on his outward appearance but 
rather on his inherent qualities. Since we want useful and not 
(7) Report on the Horse Supply of South Africa...J. A. Nunn, Vet. Surgeon 


to Deputy Adjudant General Capetown 1888. 
(8) H. C. L. Quaddekker ‘‘ Het Paarden Boek’’ Amsterdam 1912. 


87 


showy horses we cannot use better material.’’ This criticism is 
quite true in part, but a great deal of it as effecting the general 
stock at that time can be explained away. The Natal Agricultural 
Journal (1906) remarks that: ‘‘those buying for these colonies did 
not want a high class animal, but the effect of their purchases on 
the market was to send up the value of the higher class animals.”’ 

There is no doubt but that the farmers in South Africa got rid 
of a large amount of the inferior stock imported from the Argen- 
tine and aimed at getting a better foundation and this explains why 
the price of the higher class of animals rose at once. 

It has been remarked before that the Cape Horse possesses in 
a full measure some of the highest qualities of his Oriental ancestors 
and Thoroughbred sires. A few individual cases taken at random 
may suffice to emphasize this. 

Referring to Veterinary Nunn’s account and looking on the 
bright side of things he writes: ‘‘Of the strength and endurance of 
the South African horses there is no question., They being capable 
of performing immensely long journeys over very hard roads, in 
hot weather and on nothing but what they can pick up ond the veldt 
or a little oat hay forage. They are wonderfully good tempered and 
quiet. They are as a rule very sound, splints are the most common 
form of lameness when it appears. Spavins and ringbones being 
comparatively rare. The hoofs are remarkably sound, and a good 
many persons working their horses for long distances over rough 
country without shoes.’”” 

Mr. R. Bromley speaking of thirty years experience pays a fit- 
ting tribute to the Cape Horse and his splendid qualities of general 
efficiency: ‘‘I never had a lame horse, except for accident, nor 
a spavined leg or lame shoulder, and I kept from two to five horses 
for over thirty years and travelled at one time eight months in the 
year at an average pace of six miles an hour and forty miles per 
day when travelling and never stayed on the road once on account 
of a sick horse. One bay entire—a cross-breed Arab—I worked for 
fourteen years on long journeys and sold him for £5 more than I 
paid for him (for an easy job). He is now twenty-five years old 
and still fit and well and won two competitions at the Rose Bank 
Show this year (1906). For long distance travelling, a nice quiet 


(9) J. A. Nunn, Vet Surgeon 1st class. Report on the Horse Supply in South 
Africa, Feb. 1888. 


88 


mount to shoot off or a good ride for a lady, where can you equal the 
old Cape Horse?’’2° 

The gait of the Cape Horse under the saddle has been influ- 
enced much by the nature of his duties. ‘‘In order to hold a rifle 
comfortably or even ranch up cattle at not too hard a pace all the 
horses are taught to amble or ‘‘tripple’’ as the pace is called in 
Dutch.’’" Captain Hayes is not quite correct here, a good “‘trip- 
pler’’ is very rare, the most common pace is called ‘‘pass’’ which is 
a fast shuffling walk, which is as often called ‘‘strijkstap.’’ The 
canter with several variations is the next common gait. The ‘‘three 
beat’’ canter can be kept up for hours. To quote Dr. Wegner: 
‘‘men and women are continually seen riding their horses—Boer 
ponies or Thoroughbreds at a ‘three beat’ canter (Dreischlag).’”” 

Horses are very seldom trotted under the saddle, in fact it is 
looked upon as an unnatural gait in riding horses. The canter 
varied with the shuffling walk is the usual gait and with an average 
good horse forty miles per day can be covered with ease on indiffer- 
ent feed and be kept up for months without being knocked up. 
This is the testimony of every horseman who has used a Cape Horse 
either at home or in those parts of the world where he was imported 
as a remount or pleasure and sport mount. 


(b) RACING CAPABILITIES. 


The Cape Horse being a light type of horse lent itself to the 
royal sport of racing very readily. 

Racing might have been indulged in by the great horse-breeder 
before the 19th Century but we have no reliable records of it. This 
sport came with the second and more general importation of Thor 
oughbreds in 1811 and afterwards. Since then, the sport has lived 
through various vicissitudes—falling into disgrace through one 
decade it comes forward once more as that sport and test of quality 
which places its principles so much higher than any other based 
upon individual opinion of one or more judges. There the win- 
ning post with blind absolute justice is the Judge and its decree is 
irrefutable; neither fashion nor fancy, neither favor nor hatred, 
(10) Agricultural Journal of Cape of Good Hope Vol. XXVIII 26. 

(11) Captain M. H. Hayes F. R.C.V.8S. ‘‘ Among Horses in South Africa.’’ 


1900. 
(12) Dr. O. Wegner ‘‘ Zur Kenntniss der Siidafrikanische Landwirtschaft 1906. 


89 


neither prejudice nor deceit have biassed its decision in hotly con- 
tested struggles as recorded in the Racing Calendar for over twe 
centuries. 

It is this sport that has given the English Thoroughbred a value 
for breeding purposes unequalled and looked for in vain in any 
other equine species in the world.” 

Referring to the earliest records of racing in South Africa we 
find that the South African Turf Club was founded in 1818 and 
that a Merchant’s Plate of 500 rixdoliars was the highest stakes on 
the race-list. This later on fell into abeyance and was re-established 
into a Challenge Cup of varying value. A Merchant’s Cup was es- 
tablished later and after changing hands for twenty-five years it 
was decided in 1860 that the winner should stick it together with 
surplus subscriptions."* 

Turning to the Annals of the South African Turf Club we find 
singularly enough that Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of Cape 
Colony engaged in four private matches of 1000 dollars each, every 
one of which he had the misfortune to lose. 

‘““The Cape Turf’’, says an eminent contemporary racing au- 
thority of those days in the Cape Monthly, ‘‘never flourished per- 
haps more vigorously than when Farmer John, John Raw, Jester, 
Don Juan, Legislator, Seud, Red Rover, ete—imported and home- 
bred Thoroughbreds—were tracking each other about from 1832-5. 
The timing of these days has never been equalled smee, which may 
be attributed to so many first class horses coming ovt together and 
making the pace terrific from start to finish. This does not say 
that racers of equal capacity have not since been bred at the Cape. 
On the contrary, many might be named that have shown extraord- 
inary merits; but as they never met antagonists of corresponding 
calibre, their speed and endurance could never be satisfactorily as 
certained. 

At the Autumn, 1835 Race Meeting of the Club, Don Juan 
and Farmer John ran 3 heats of 114 miles each in 2.541%, 2.54 and 
2.55 minutes. Turning up the English Derby race records we find 
the time for the same distance since 1900-11 varying from 2.45 4/5— 
esx) MY/ By 

Several of the Cape Horses exported to India gained great 


(13) Compare Count George Lehndorf ‘‘ Horsebreeding Recollections’’ 1898 
Berlin. 
(14) Cape Monthly 1819, Vol. IX. 


reputation on the Race Course. Mention has already been made of 
Battledore and Sir Benjamin ‘‘carrying everything before them.’’ 

‘<The best Cape Horse seen in India was Tumbler, carrying 11 
stone, he beat Francisca the fast racer on the Calcutta Course car- 
rying 10 stone with great ease on a 144 mile course in 32 seconds. 
This was astonishing considering the weight on a little horse of 14.3 
hands.’’!° With the general decline of the horse stock after 1860 
the Turf suffered badly, and the Club annals ascribe the decline to 
the ‘‘suicidal mania’’ that infected many breeders to breed from 
Holstein and Cart-horse sires.’’ 

In 1882 matters have bettered themselves and the Jockey 
Club of South Africa was established at Port Elizabeth and was re- 
moved to Johannesburg in 1904. It has local branches in all the 
princilal cities of the provinces. Numerous valuable stakes are 
offered; Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town all offer handicap 
purses of £1000 each.*® In 1884 the Derby value at Port Elizabeth 
was £400 for South African bred three-year-olds. A contempo- 
rary authority remarks: ‘‘Many a colt competing for this will com- 
pare favourably with the best horses in England. In 1884 another 
Derby worth £750 (the most valuable ever offered up to then) was 
established at Kimberley.’’!7 224 18, 

Some records of the March, 1914 meeting of the South African 
Club at Kenilworth, Capetown in connection with the Rosebank 
Show give the time as follows: 

7 Furlongs 1.32 2/ M for 3 year olds. 

114 miles 2.11 M for Lower weights. 

1 mile 1.31/5 M for Higher weights. 

7 Furlongs 1.32 M for Lower weights. 

9 Furlongs 1.33 1/5 M Pony and Galloway Handicap. 
5 Furlongs 1.3 4/5 M for Middle weight Handicap. 

5 Furlongs 1.32/5 M for Higher weight Handicap.’ 

These races give a general idea of racing matters and the time 
is by no means the best for although the various heats were well 
represented still the highest purse was only £150 and the best run- 
ners were not entered. The American time for the years 1900-11 


(15) Hastern Racing Calendar. Reprint in Cape Monthly Vol. 1X. 

(16) The Farmer’s Weekly, Oct, 1913. 

(17 and 18) Grey Rattray in Racing Callendar 1885 and British Association 
for the Advancement of Science (The Transvaal, 1905). 

(19) S. A. Turf Club. Weekly Cape Times and Farmer’s Record. March 6 
1914, 


7 


91 


over a 114 milss course is given as varying from 2.03 to 2.10 2/5 
and the time of an ordinary meeting as the above mentioned one with 
a time record of 2.11 for 114, miles compares very favorably indeed.” 
South African Race Horse owners have off and on sent some of 

their winners to England and in 1906 Campfire II, bred by Sena- 
tor Charles Southey and owned by Sir Abe Bailey, won the Derby 
and other important matches and now stands at Stud in England at 
a high fee and his progeny is constant among winners. 

‘“The ‘great game’’ in order to flourish requires to be managed 
by men who are independent of it either for their recreation or 
whose prolity and love of fair play are above suspicion.’’ Racing 
in South Africa has fine future though a somewhat ignoble past.’””* 

Captain Hayes’ conditions are more than fulfilled. Since 1900 
more and more of the wealthy mine owners took to horse-breeding 
and the South African Turf Club is at present in a most flourishing 
condition. 

The last part of his remark refers to the days when the “‘sweep- 
ings of Tattersall’s stables’’ found their way to the Cape and almost 
everyone wanted to own a race horse. Even earlier, although the 
race course was patronized by the great breeders by entering their 
horses, very few, however, graced it with their presence. In 1882 
we find that ‘‘an extraordinary custom prevails here of an owner 
entering his horses in an assumed name as if it is a disgrace to a 
gentleman to be the acknowledged proprietor of a race horse.’”” 
At this period and very largely to-day the best horse-breeders were 
of Dutch extraction and the Dutch Reformed Church being very 
orthodox regarded racing as a ‘‘game of chance’’ and therefore, con- 
trary to the church’s laws. 

The absence of the majority of the best breeders naturally les- 
sened the spirit of fair play and the strict observance of the rules 
of the course; betting and its attendant evils, unjust handicapping 
and other underhand dealings gave racing a bad repute. ‘To-day 
adequate laws govern all matters pertaining to the race course and 
gentlemen breeders and horsemen are at the head of affairs. There 
are purses for various types of runners and the turf is undoubtedly 
still a very high test of the ability and stamina of the individuals 
bred and entered by the different breeders. 

(20) M. W. Harper. Management and Breeding of Horses 1913. 
be Captain M. W. Hayes *‘‘ Among Horses in South Africa 1900. 


22) William Wilberforce ‘‘State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822.’’ Lon- 
don i828. 
Qo 


(ec) DISHASE. 


Although South Africa is looked upon by many as the incubator 
of all kinds of animal pests, still she is one of the healthiest pastoral 
countries of the world. She imported almost all her stock diseases 
and their prolificacy is due to the scientific fact that the diseases that 
are dormant and comparatively harmless in one country may be- 
come an epidemic pest in the other. 

The Cape Horse as learned from previous pages is a very healthy 
and sound animal. The testimony of the highest veterinary author 
ities at home and of the British Army as already stated are all 
agreed that bodily the average Cape Horse is one of the soundest 
types and that he is fit for service to a great age.”* 

In a land of ‘‘eternal sunshine’’ he spends almost all his life 
in the open. With little variations the climate is temperate and 
the air extremely dry. With the exception of a narrow costal strip 
all the rest of South Africa consists of high plateaus with a mean 
summer temperature of 62° or about the same as that of the Reviera 
which is 61°. The nights are always cool and refreshes again what 
has been exhausted during the day and the continuous heat of Bom- 
bay, Madras and even New York which is so exhaustive is unknown 
in South Africa.** 

Several infectious diseases as Glanders, Mange and Equine 
Piroplasmosis (Biliary Fever) and several lesser ones have been 
imported, ignorantly and unwillingly of course, toward the end of 
the last century, but have never caused great loss or serious trouble. 
The most dreaded disease is Horse-sickness. It made its first ap- 
pearance in 1719, sixty-seven years after the first horse was im- 
ported. Why it has been in abeyance so long puzzled many scien- 
tific investigators since the indigenous species of the genus Equus 
harboured the disease, but was immune to its attacks.?° This is, 
however, easily explained by. the fact that 1719 was the date the pas- 
toral boundaries first extended into the disease infested area—the 
region all below the mountain ranges is still free from horse-sickness, 
or to be more correct all that region that has winter and late autumn 
rains. The disease generally makes its appearance after the heavy 


(23) See Veterinary Reports in Papers Relating to Purchase of Horses for 
Service in India. Bluebooks Capetown 1845-1888, ete. 

(24) Sir James Bryce ‘‘Impressions of South Africa.’’ 1898. 

(25) Cf. Science in South Africa. Dr. W. Flint and Dr. J. O, F. Gilchrist 
1905. 


93 


summer rains, followed by heat and unusual heavy dews. For a 
long time the dews and mists were looked upon as having a direct 
bearing on the disease and horses were kept on high plateaus dur- 
ing those months. After the first frosts have fallen the danger is 
past.”° 

Towards the middle of the last century it was pointed out by 
experts that the disease was closely related to Anthrax; but Dr. 
Edington has the honor of pointing out that it is a disease sut 
generis and that it can be transmitted to horses by subeutaneous 
inoculation with the blood of an animal that died of the disease. 

Towards the close of the last century Lt. Col. Walkins-Pitchford 
definitely proved the theory that the disease was caused by the bites 
of nocturnal insects; and also succeeded by tracing the insect to 
be the Anopholes Mosquito. 

In 1903 the Chief of the Veterinary Department, Dr. now Sir. 
Arnold Theiler first succeeded in getting a preventive inoculation 
whereby mules can be rendered immune against an attack of Horse- 
sickness. This method was first introduced in the Transvaal in 1911 
and no breeder was allowed to have more than two horses inoculated. 

Out of 445 horses inoculated during that time 46 died or 
10.3%. This result fully justified a continuation of the method and 
the next season the death rate was 11.1% in a very severe season 
when even ‘“‘salted’’* horses died.** 

The immunization of mules is now in its eighth year. During 
1913 out of some 1522 mules that were inoculated only 42 or 
2.8 percent died. Up to the present time 22,000 have been treated 
with an average mortality of about 3%. With horses the method 
has not been quite so successful; but it has decreased the mortality 
immensely.?° 

As soon as this monster disease is held in check or totally 
stamped out, the future of horse-breeding will be brighter than ever 
for with a very adequately equipped veterinary department all 
other diseases are kept within reasonable limits. 

(26) Same as 25 and Records of Cape Colony No. 389. 

(27) Dr. C. Edington ‘‘ South African Horse-Sickness’’ XIII, 1900. The Jour- 
nal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics. 

(*) A ‘*Salted’’ Horse is one that has recovered from an attack of Horse- 
Sickness and was supposed to be immune to future attacks. 

(28) Dr. A. Theiler ‘‘ Report of the Transvaal Department of Agriculture 


1903-4, 
(29) Agricultural Journal of the Union of South Africa 1913, Vol. VI. 


94 


(d) DISTRIBUTION. 


From the previous chapters it would be learned that the Cape 
Horse found his entrance into very distant parts of the world; but 
these importations would not strictly fall under the head of distri- 
bution as we hereby generally understand the use of any breed of 
animals for breeding purposes. And yet it is quite probable that 
some of the imported remounts were also used at Studs. 

In roughly reviewing the several exports of horses from South 
Africa we find that the first exportation dates back to 1769, when a 
shipment left for Madras. Since then at various times thousands 
of horses went to India up to the middle of last century.”° 

In 1810, Australia imported her first horses from South Africa 
and repeated the undertaking in 1825 with better selected animals." 
A civil servant of high standing writes in 1821 that ‘‘many of the 
best bred horses had been sent to Mauritius and India in 1821 and 
the sport (Racing) slackened; but the increase of young horses 
bred from English horses caused a greater interest.”’ 

‘“The export of horses to Mauritius (and probably other eastern 
countries) in 1821 amounted to 300,000 Rixdollars and that which 
appeared to have been undertaken for the gratification of hunting 
or racing has become a substantial source of profit to the breeders, 
the farmer and the shipper.’’*? To quote another authority on this 
lucrative exportation to the Mast: 

‘“During this period the Cape Horse was sufficiently attractive 
to provoke the admiration of the lordly but debilitated Indian Na- 
bobs, who at this period flocked in large numbers to the Cape, then 
highly esteemed as a health resort, and many horses were taken to 
India as hacks or chargers by the recuperated health-seekers. For 
these the Nabobs, who were always lavish in dispensing the golden 
mohurs paid very high prices and they being the best of their class 
and able to stand the Indian climate much better than the English 
Thoroughbred horse, soon attracted the attention of the Indian 
authorities to the advantages of the Cape as a field for procuring 
mounts from and in 1835 a small trade was opened up which bade 
fair promise of yearly increasing in magnitude.’’** 

(30) Geo. McCall Theal ‘‘ History of South Africa.’’ 

Grey Rattray. Reprint in Agriculture of Cape of Good Hope 1904. 
(31) Records of the Cape Colony Vol. XXVI. 
2) William Wilberforce ‘‘ A State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822.’’ 
3 


) Reprint from ‘* acing Calendar’’ of 1885 in Agriculture Journal of the 
Cape of Good Hope Vol. XX XIII. 


95 


(3 
(3 


The great Trek of 1836-38 and the subsequent establishing of 
the old republics extended the distribution of the Cape Horse over 
these provinces and for over thirty years the breed of horses were 
cut off from fresh blood; yet the selection must have been of a high 
standard for the Orange Free State type of horse was an all round 
better animal on the average than the one bred in the Colony. Many 
of the Thoroughbred stallions imported from England found their 
way here and Cape Colony farmers were even restricted selling them 
to the farmers of the neighboring states.** 

The same may be said of the province of Natal. The first Thor- 
oughbred imported there was Mortimer by Fitz Allen, the sire of 
good breeding stock and forerunner of many excellent imported 
horses. 

The neighboring German and Portuguese Colonies use the Cape 
Horse as foundation stock by preference,*® being selected after al- 
most every other European and South American breeds were given 
a fair trial. | 

All Southern Africa including the Protectorates and lands out 
side the Union and British East Africa, excepting perhaps the Tsetse 
fly stricken area may be taken as the home of the Cape Horse in 
varying type for the ground stock is always the same. 

With the opening up of the rich interior of Central Africa and 
the advancement of Veterinary Science, the Cape Horse has a 
ereat future , for of all breeds he is undoubtedly the hardiest and 
healthiest, and if he is better than the Thoroughbred and Gulf 
‘Arab in the trying Indian climate he is the only horse that has a 
chance in the future development of the twilight continent of Africa 
and a chance to win laurels of fame as high as those of the illustrous 
ancient stock from which he springs—the Libyan of North Africa. 


(34) Memorandum. Blue Book 1858. 


(35) Dr. O. Wegner ‘‘Zur Kenntniss der Siidafrikanische Landwirtschaft 
IGOG,?” 


96 


CHAPTER IV. 


(a) VARIOUS TYPES OF CAPE HORSE. 


South African horse-breeding extends over two and a half cen- 
turies. Its history of development is intimately bound with that of 
the country. Both have passed through many vicissitudes. Both 
were subjected to outside influences, both harmful and beneficial. 

Running through the chapter on its origin and developbent we 
see that several strains of blood mingle in the veins of the Cape 
Horse. 

These strains up to the last decade of last century were with 
negligible exceptions of Oriental and Thoroughbred blood; but cer- 
tainly varied among themselves. It is difficult to write with some 
authority on this most interesting phase of the Cape Horse when 
there is absolutely no reliable information to be obtained from 
stock registers or private stud books, although some of the latter ex- 
ist with the great breeders scattered all over the land. The first 
South African Stud Book for the various breeds of farm animals 
was only published in 1907 and is as yet in its infancy and very 
elementary as far as the registration of the Cape Horse is con- 
cerned. 

It is clear that a country cannot do with just one breed of 
horses. Only to a limited extent can one expect the same breed to 
supply carriage. riding and racing horses; but this seems to have 
been the general trend of mind—breeding for a ‘‘general purpose.”’ 

It is a well known fact that one stallion and his progeny have 
frequently been mainly responsible in the establishing of a new 
breed. ‘This is true in the case of the Hackney, the Standardbred 
Horse, the American Saddle Horse and even the Thoroughbred with 
the illustrous Trio, and many others. These founders of course 
- were pure-bred and the foundation stock of comparative good gual- 
ity, and by further selection with a definite aim the breed was intro- 
duced; often within half a century. 

The American Saddle Horse is a triumph of breeding for a 
definite purpose and the breed was established in a comparatively 
short time although the foundation stock was of longer standing.*° 


(36) M. W. Harper. Management and Breeding of Horses 1913. 


97 


The only distinct type of Cape Horse that was produced were 
the famous ‘‘Cape Greys’’ bred by Mr. Melck, they being the pro- 
geny of the Spanish stallions captured in 1807. They seem to have 
been heavier than the average Cape Horse of the time and more 
adapted for driving than riding.** Melck’s stud had a great name 
and many of his stud’s representatives were found all through the 
land. The type has never been established as a breed; but the great 
dapple-greys still met with here and there are certainly still de- 
scendents of these Spanish stallions. 

Frequent mention has been made of the van Zijls’, Oosthuizen’s 
and Hantamer horses; but although there certainly was a differ- 
ence in the type we have no reliable information what the points of 
variation were. With the unfortunate neglect of horse-breeding 
and the more disastrous effects of the Anglo-Boer war these types 
passed away before they were firmly established. To-day every 
effort is being made to breed on the lines of the eld type and some 
of the Colesberg breeders are so fortunate as still to own some of 
the old Hantam mares. 

In 1811 and afterwards some of the best Thoroughbreds im- 
ported to the Cape found their way to these studs. Mr. Oosthuizen 
owned War Eagle, Turpin and Evenus. Turpin later went to the 
Orange Free State and then into Natal. Mr. Louw owned Sir Her- 
cules, and Sorcerer. Mr. Van Zijl owned Sir Hercules (liouw’s), 
Champagne Charlie and Sir Amyas Leigh—horses that were on a 
par with any of those that crown the genealogical trees of other 
breeds.** The foundation stock was as we have seen from the first 
chapter mostly of Oriental strains, with the evception perhaps of 
the five stud horses from Boston, U. 8. A., in 1872 and several stal- 
lions from England in the same year. 

Up to the beginning of last century, almost a century and a 
half, Oriental blood has been the dominant one; since then the 
Thorougrbred reigned fer half a century, when a period of Hack- 
neys, Clevelands, Roadsters and even Cart Horse sires in 1890 and 
after. 

The Hackneys found greatest favor in the Western Province 
of the Cape Colony. The Melek and Kotzé studs in Malmesbury 


(37) Henrich Lichtenstein ‘‘ Reisen in Siidlichen Afrika 1798-1806, Berlin 1811. 
Live Stock Journal No. 2 ‘‘ Light Horses’’—Breeds and Management. 
London 1907. 

(38) Compare. Graf C. G. Wrangel ‘‘ Die Rassen der Pferdes’’ Stuttgart 1909. 


98 


are still breeding from Hackneys and turn out a serviceable driv- 
ing horse. Several studs in the Montagu, Robertson and Caledon 
districts possess high class Hackneys and their horses are of excel- 
lent quality. With a few other exceptions all the other breeders have 
taken to the Thoroughbred once more. The foundation stock in all 
these studs consists mainly of Cape mares. Very splendid types 
existed in pre-war days and it is a very great pity we do not possess 
reliable descriptions of them and of the sires used in their founda- 
tion. Since the war we have been busy rehabilitating our horse 
stock, still the matter is not definitely settled yet, except by those 
who breed for the race course. It would be of great practical ad- 
vantage is a collective account could be made of our horse mater- 
ial and find out just what is wanted and what lines should be fol- 
lowed, and are being followed throughout the country. 


‘(b) THE BASUTO PONY. 


Basutoland was first occupied and settled by Chaka in the be- 
sinning of the 19th Century when it was temporarily occupied by 
roving bands of natives. The Basuto nation was only unified in 
1828 under Moshesh.*® These facts do away with the idea that the 
Basuto Pony may have originated from the shetland ponies stolen 
from British officers and crossed with native mares procured orig- 
nally from the East Coast and brought down by the Arabs. Horses 
were not known to the natives in those regions at any time before 
the 19th Century...The first horse seen in Zululand was taken there 
by Chief Dingiswayo from the Cape Colony towards the beginning 
of last Century.* 

Mr. 8S. Barrett, Assistant Commissioner in Basutoland writes 
in “The Field’’ of July, 1901 that ‘‘The Shetland pony origin of 
the Basuto Pony is a myth. The first Shetiand Pony imported to 
South Africa, was owned by Mr. Carwood Grahamstown and as 
much as we know it was never stolen by the Basutos. From talks 
with the oldest Chiefs and missionaries I find the Shetland Pony 
_ theory generally discredited.’’ 

The first horses owned by the Basutos were taken from maraud- 
ing hordes of Koranna who raided the country when the late Chief 
Letsie was a young man—probably 1830-85. The Rev. M. Cassalis, 


(39) See McCall Theal’s History of South Africa. 
(40) J. W. Bowker. Racing Calendar 1901. 


99 


French Protestant Missionery relates how proud Letsie was of his 
accomplishment of riding bare back on a horse stolen from the emi- 
grant farmers of that period. 

It is quite probable that Basutos were in possession of horses 
long before that date; for cattle and horse thefts were a great 
annoyance to the frontier farmers all through the 18th Century. 
During the last decade of that century over 300 horses along with 
thousands of cattle and sheep were stolen and taken into the moun- 
tains of Basutoland and neighborhood.*? The Basuto conquered 
these hordes and occupied and settled Basutoland and some of these 
horses must have been among the spoils. 

The neighboring territory now the Orange Free State was first 
occupied in 1838 by the emigrants from the Cape Colony. Basutos 
were largely employed as farm hands and were paid in stock and 
speculators exchanged large droves of horses for slaughter stock 
with the Basutos who were very anxious to possess horses. They 
were a sporting race and many well-bred stallions have found their 
way into the country. ‘‘Representatives of Tormentor (by Wild 
Dayrell), Sir Amyas Leigh (Adventurer), Bellandrum (Stock- 
well) and many others are to be traced in the hands of the natives 
erossed with the old Dutch (Cape) breed obtained from the 
farmers.’’*” 

Owing to the severity of the winter in this mountainous coun- 
ary—the Thermometer often indicating 10°-15° of frost in the 
valleys and plateaus, while the peaks are snow covered—the pro- 
geny of these horses while retaining many of the valuable qualities 
of their progenitors and improving in hardiness became more and 
more stunted in size and gradually developed in the famous Basuto 
Ponye* 

The Basuto pony is somewhat thickest with a rather long body 
on short strong legs and extremely hard hoofs combining extraor- 
dinary secure footing and comparative high speed. 

‘“Of the endurance and activity of these animals I cannot speak 
too highly. They seldom or ever get anything more than they can 
pick up on the Veldt and yet they commonly do journeys of 60-80 - 
miles in the day and this with carrying 13-14 stone. They are 
wonderfully sound and are seldom if ever shod, although some of 


(41) G. EH. Cory. The Rise of South Africa 1918. 
(42) S. Barrett ‘‘The Field’’ July, 1901. 
(43) J. W. Bowker ‘‘ Racing Calendar’’ 1901. 


100 


the tracks are very stoney and rough. They run loose on the 
mountains and are not caught till seven or eight years old, their 
ages being reckoned from the date they begin to work. It really 
does not much matter if these ponies are aged as they will work for 
years. A peculiarity I noticed is that the marks of the teeth be- 
tween six and eight years show them younger than they really are, 
the teeth being worn down, being attributable to the quantity of 
sand taken in with the rough herbage.’’** This peculiarity is com- 
mon to most of the South African horses that are bred on the veld 
and in the dry plateaux regions. 

During the latter part of last century a number of so-called 
Basuto Ponies have been successful in Johannesburg and other rac- 
ing centers, but most of them can be traced directly or indirectly 
to the Orange Free State. Pious Peter sold for £500 in Johannes- 
burg. was bred in the Orange Free State; so was Bafar and Soldaat, 
the fastest pony in Basutoland at that time. 

Scottie, another star of the Course is a son of Honesty, a well- 
known racer in the Orange Free State and a son of Champagne 
Charlie.*” 

Basutoland should be a first rate horse breeding country, ly- 
ing as it does at an even elevation of some four to five thousand 
feet above the sea, with a temperate climate in which Horse-sickness 
is unknown. Droughts are seldom and the pastures although rough 
are very good. 

Basuto Ponies are famous all through South Africa and as 
Polo Ponies they have quite a fame in India. The Army Remount 
Report while placing the average South African cob as ‘‘unsur- 
passable’’ placed the Basuto Pony as the ‘‘best’’. He can be bred 
with very little expense and valuable as they are they very seldom 
fetch high prices. The Basuto often will not sell and in barter his 
price will rarely exceed £8 or £10. 

The best horse experts are agreed that the Basuto Pony has 
sufficient individuality to be classed as a distinct type. 

Too little is known of the Namaqua Pony to give it a special 
heading, yet a few remarks will well merit this hardy type of pony 


that has silently been in the make for many years. 
(44) J. A. Nunn ‘‘ Reports on Horse Supply of South Africa 1888.’’ 
_ (45) J. W. Bowker *‘ Racing Calendar July, 1901.’’ 
Campare Captain McCall’s report in Cape Monthly 1865. 
(46) J. M. Christy A. P.V.S. Transvaal Agricultural Journal. 1908. 


101 


The large arid regions of the North West Cape Colony com- 
prising Namaqualand and the districts of Kenhardt and Prieska, 
some 30,000 square miles, possess large numbers of excellent ponies, 
and now and then we hear of their extraordinary powers of travel- 
ling through waterless parts for several days subsisting on the 
scantiest fare as offered by the few withered yet succulent shrubs, 
tough dune-grass and water melons. 

Great irrigation schemes are being undertaken in those regions 
and some are already well established. The districts are becoming 
more settled and it will therefore be of great value and assistance 
to the settlers and older established farmers if this excellent type 
of horses could be improved. The Cape Mounted Police on the 
borders and in Bechuanaland use Camels at great expense*’ and 
seeing that the water holes are not too far distant from one another 
there is no reason why these sturdy ponies will not be a success were 
they procurable in sufficient numbers. 

Such an undertaking will be a step in the right direction and 
there is no doubt that a few well selected Arab stallions will have 
the desired effect. 


(c) WHAT TYPE TO BREED. 


The South African war once more called the best attention to 
the Cape Horse, not only at home but in other parts of the world. 
His real merit in competition with almost every other breed clearly 
asserted itself. Since then some of the best writers on the horse 
have devoted at least some remarks on the Cape Horse in their books 
and contributions to periodicals.** 

As remarked before, the question of registration of horses is 
beset with many difficulties. Several excellent but undefined, un- 
pedigreed or rather unregistered types existed showing the unde- © 
eidedness in the minds of the people breeding these types; and 
even to-day there is a great diversity in the ideals of the great 
breeders, but since the Thoroughbred is mainly used and since the 
breeding stock is brought up to the standard of the Hantam type 
of the forties it seems that matters are pointing to the production 
of a type as near the Thoroughbred of compactness as possible, 
with special adaptation to South African conditions. 


(47) Estimates and Expenditures Bluebooks 1911. 
(48) Sir Walter Gilbey, Count C. E. Wrangel, Quaddekker and others. 


iG2 


Sir Alfred Pease in his article ‘‘Breeds of Horses Suitable to 
South Africa’’*? urges the breeders to make up their minds what 
classes of horses they desire to breed and possess. ‘‘ Whatever types 
we select we require them constitutionally hardy and sound, with 
good legs and feet, capable of resisting the variations of cold and 
heat and of thriving on either the Low or High veld pastures.’’ 
There is no doubt that Sir Alfred had in mind the glories won by 
the Cape Horse in India and the Crimea under the most oppositely 
extreme climates when he wrote this article and continues that ‘‘it 
appears that there are two different stamps that are specially in 
demand. 

Firstly, a horse of handy size for riding and military purposes 
about 15 hands high (14.2-3) high, with the greatest combination of 
quality and strength obtainable and possessing the utmost resis- 
tance to the attacks of Horse sickness and other diseases and equal 
to sustained exertion on such forage as the country produces. This 
type of horse will also be adaptable to ight harness work. 

Secondly: <A horse fitted for the heavy traffic of towns and 
for agricultural purposes. This class must possess similar qual- 
ities in regard to climate, food and resistance to disease as the first 
mentioned type but in addition must have weight and great mus- 
cular development. 

In producing the first type Sir Alfred covers the same ground 
as before mentioned. ‘The sires should be of the oldest established 
breeds and the mares graded on lines of best conformation and 
blood. 

He, however, gives preference to the Arab as a sire on the plea 
that he will find a second home in South Africa and his progeny 
will be hardier than these of the Thoroughbred. The Arab and 
his types were used largely in the production both of the Thorough- 
bred and the old Cape Horse, and if the right type is secured he 
would be the best possible sire for South African conditions. 

The second type will be more difficult to produce and perhaps 
it will be best to breed mules for heavy draft and agricultural pur- 
poses. ‘‘Breeds like the Clydesdales, Shires and others will never 
do in South Africa; heavy carcasses, thick coats, hairy legs, apart 
form other considerations, are not suitable either for rainy seasons 
or hot climates.’’ Percherons might do better, but something 


(49) Transvaal Agricultural Journal Vol. II, 1904. 


103 


lighter still will do best, such as the Hackneys, Oldenburgs and 
their class. 

Where the Cleveland, Hackney and Roadster sire is recom- 
mended for the breeding of this heavier type, all experts are careful 
to modify them very much and always want his progeny to be 
erossed with ‘‘a well selected short coupled Thoroughbred of from 
15.2 to 15.3 to get stamina and blood and in the case where Arabs 
were used as first insalment stallions to get substance and size for 
horses of the first type. 

Mr. Barter a pioneer horse breeder in Natal and speaking of 
almost half a century’s experience, maintains that Natal is a fit 
home for the Thoroughbred and certainly less adapted to the coarser 
equine breeds during the summer heat and scorching winds. 

He advocates the breeding of light horses from the Thorough- 
bred and from these select the types best suited for driving and 
riding. In breeding for draft purposes the aim should be to make 
compastness of form, symmetry, sound limbs and feet, supple actiou 
supply the absence of weight and bulk.”° 
In reviewing what has been said on this matter one frequently 
finds that the breeding for ‘‘general purpose’’ is widely advocated ; 
but it has never obtained the whole-hearted approval of the best 
authorities. 

Dr. Hutcheon in 1905 admits that horses for general purposes 
ean be bred in large numbers in other stock districts where they are 
left to take their chances on the veld, and the breeders can afford 
to sell at a price the breeders in the district requiring extra feed 
can not. But holds that horses of fine symmetry and quality can- 
not be produced on the veld where they are at the mercy of all the 
vicissitudes of weather and drought. Any well-matched pair of 
such horses, which were fed through foal-hood and possess quality 
and symmetry together with the good qualities of hardiness and 
stamina can always command their own price in the Colony whereas 
those of the mob must sell for what is offered and frequently have 
no offers at all. 

Barter very emphatically maintains that breeding for general 
purposes means breeding for no purpose whatever. In a previous 
chapter we have made use of this authority’s views on carriage and 
driving horses, it may just be mentioned here that he bred from 


(50) Natal Agricultural Journal Vol. VII, 1904. 


104 


Thoroughbred sires only; but by a method of very strict selection 
he produced both driving and carriage horses which even the best 
breeders in England would have been proud to possess; and he was 
intimately acquainted with horse breeding in England. 

From a previous chapter we know that sires of other breeds 
were used in grading up the breeding stock and in fact were also 
used to replace the Thoroughbred after the importation of the 
“‘hlood weeds’’ in 1860 and after. Most of the best horse experts 
are of the opinion that these sires caused a further deterioration 
of our horse stock. But under the circumstances it seemed the best 
remedy and the best breeders and experts advised the use of Hack- 
neys, Clevelands and Roadsters with many restrictions but always 
maintaining that if‘‘the right type of Thoroughbred could be found 
he would be the best.’’ 

These cross-breds although they gained in size and stoutness 
were lacking in many good qualities possessed by the Cape Horse 
bred from Thoroughbred sires and mares with Thoroughbred blood 
in their veins. An eminent authority holds that ‘‘Hackneys, Cleve- 
lands and Flemish horses spoiled our horse stock. The cross-breds 
would not pull a light buggy fifty miles along an ordinary road 
during a day and bring you back the next day and if they did, how 
many splints, curbs and other ailments would be the result, or given 
a regiment mounted on such chargers, would they ever under forced 
marching orders do what 34 bred Thoroughbreds and Arabs would 
doy? 

Reflecting on the outcome of the South African war these re- 
marks which will be endorsed by the majority of farmers go to 
show that cross-breds other than from Thoroughbred sires or well 
selected Cape Horse sires are an undesired class and when light 
coach breeds and other than Thoroughbreds are used as sires they 
should be selected with great caution. 

The effects of using heavy breeds such as Cart Horse and 
Shires to give bone and substance to our brood mares were natur- 
ally worse than those of the above mentioned lighter breeds. Mr. 
Barter, Natal’s greatest horse breeder, called it ‘‘breeding with a 
vengeance,’ and other breeders have called this procedure a ‘‘suici- 
dal mania.’’ To serve a 14.2-3 34 Thoroughbred mare out of 
Oriental stock to a Clydesdale, Percheron or Shire or mares of these 


(51) Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope Vol. XX XIII. 


105 


to a Thoroughbred seems a bad procedure, except under extreme 
restrictions and with careful selection. 

Yet such methods are still practised by some farmers and even 
looked upon favorably by men who are closely connected with our 
live stock breeding. 

It is most embarrassing to find that the General Manager of 
the Standerton farm, speaking of Percherons and Clydesdales re- 
marks that ‘‘the introduction of these heavier breeds will be pro- 
ductive of a great deal of good as bone and substance are very much 
lacking in our brood mares’’;°? while the General Secretary for 
Agriculture remarks that ‘‘one of the most noticeable developments 
in connection with live steck is the interest taken-in Hackneys and 
the heavier breed of horses hike Oldenburgs, Clydesdales, Suffolks 
and Percherons. This is welcomed, both on account of their value 
for draft purposes and for providing heavy mares for mule breeding, 
and for mating with Thoroughbreds in order to obtain the general 
purpose horse which plays so prominent a part in all countries. 

Oceasionaily two or three horses are now seen employed in 
ploughing or other work upon the land and there is little doubt the 
use of heavy horses for farm work will become more general.’’*? 
The occasional appearance of two or three heavy horses plowing 
is certainly noticeable not so much for their excellency but for 
their rareness, the number employed in this way are few and far 
between in the Transvaal and much less in the Orange Free State. 
The quick, hardy Cape bred mule is most commonly used and the 
ox is as largely employed in these provinces. But granting that 
the Clydesdale may do as a useful animal for heavy draft purposes 
he and his class will never do in cross-breeding with the Cape mare 
or in the making of any breed that will do best for South African 
conditions. There are several horse breeders in the Cape Colony 
who breed heavy horses only and find a ready market in the great 
towns; but in those districts where farming is most extensive the’ 
mule and ‘‘general purpose’’ horse (a cross-bred Cape and Thor- 
oughbred) are used exclusively; and although more are required 
to do the work which less of the heavier breeds will do, yet they are 
hardier and healthier, require less care, are quicker and more use- 
ful all round. 


(52) Appendia XXXVI. Department of Agriculture Report and Appendices 
1913. 
(53) Annual Report. Department of Agriculture Report and Appendices 1913. 


166 


Continued and unintelligent cross-breeding has been the ruin 
of our horse stock and it is high time to realize that only by a 
system of strict selection can we ultimately establish the breed and 
elass of horse that will best suit our requirements and our climate. 
Infusions of fresh blood will only be of advantage from allied 
strains, such as the Thoroughbred and the Arab; from these almost 
every breed of horses has been produced by selection, but to cross 
breed any of these very different breeds (draft and light) to-day, 
except those of very close affinity, wouid show the utmost disregard 
of the elementary principles of breeding. 

General Sir John Watson reviewing all the literature on horse 
breeding in India and speaking with great experience comes to 
the conclusion that ‘‘to create an Anglo-Indian type of horse cap- 
able of reproducing itself can never succeed; the endeavor has 
_ been persevered in for a century, has failed and wil fail; for we 
are fighting against nature and nature will beat us in the long run. 
Climate and the prevailing normal conditions of life are paramount 
in determining what the size and character of the horse of any 
country snall be.’’** 

The India Horse Breeding Commission of 1900 making an ex- 
tensive survey of the horse material finds that ‘‘the most important 
point that invites attention is the existence of several breeds of 
horses which are pure and in the Commission’s judgment they are 
well worth preserving. Thse breeds are now being improved under 
conditions as nature designed them, and without the admixture of 
Thoroughbred blood which has proved, during recent years at all 
events, of very doubtful advantage. Economy and efficiency alike 
point to the wisdom of turning over a new leaf altogether and dis- 
carding the use of alien sires other than Arabs of the best breed.’’ 

The remark on the Thoroughbred as a sire has long been shared 
in South Africa and experts have always been careful to lay re- 
strictions on him and to speak of the ‘‘right type of Thoroughbred’’ 
always meaning compactness, stoutness, great weight-carrying 
power and all such points as would distinguish him from the mere 
racer or ‘“‘blood weed.’’ 

The enlarged structure of the Thoroughbred is an acquired one 
—artificially bred into him—and in the endeavors of this, sight was 
lost of the other imported qualities and to-day we know that in- 
creased height certainly does not involve increased strength in all 
(54) Sir Walter Gilbey ‘“ Horse Brec7iig *n England and India’’ 1906, 

107 


directions as great weight-carrying powers, endurance and hardi- 
ness. Considering the existing conditions of the country it would 
seem that they demand a horse bred as close to the natural condi- 
tions of the country as possible. By careful selection of well-bred 
native sires and of Arabs and Thoroughbreds we will be able to in- 
crease size and substance while it will be possible to preserve the 
valuable qualities of the native bred dam. These qualities: the 
hardiness, robustness of constitution, sureness of foot, ability to 
thrive on poor feed are the natural outcome of conditions under 
which the Cape Horse has been bred through centuries and to pre- 
serve them in the young stock it will be necessary to rear the cross- 
bred foals under conditions as nearly natural as their constitution 
will allow. These conditions will vary for the several provinces to 
some extent; but common and necessary ones will be the combina- 
tion of great freedom with plenty available shelter and food. To 
stable and feed them artificially would encourage undue physical 
development while undermining that capacity for endurance and 
hardship which has been once the greatest points in favor of the 
Cape Horse. 

It is true that we import over eighty percent of heavy draft 
horses for the cities and even the importation of mules is very high ; 
but this does not justify the indiscriminate cross-breeding of heavy 
sires with Cape Mares. The breeding of draft breeds for the cities 
should be encouraged, and is also being done, but they should be kept 
pure, or bred to exceptionally heavy Cape mares. 

Heavy breeds will not do for the farmers who are twenty and 
more miles away from the railway station; a light team trots there 
and back and for the reasons already mentioned—health, speed, less 
feed, endurance, etc.—this team is worth double the value of the 
best team of heavies. 

The importation of mules is still a remainder of the many ir- 
regularities caused by the war; the stock of brood mares was mainly 
employed for increasing the number of horses and as soon as the 
main necessaries are supplied others will receive their due regard. 

The type of horse that will be of the greatest value to the 
country as would be the case in any other country is the native 
breed improved into such types as the various needs of the country 
demands. This type will be produced most effectively by selection 
and the adherence to the natural conditions of the country and not 
by continued cross-breeding and artificial conditions: . 


103 


CHAPTER V. 


THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE HORSE IN SOUTH 
AFRICAN FARMING. 


The acquisition of the horse by the first colonists has been one 
_ of the chief factors in the rise and supremacy of the white race in 
South Africa; yet he has never been of such direct economical value 
as his brother in other countries. In the agricultural development 
of the country he has not yet come to his own; the ox, the mule and 
also the ass have been mainly used for transport, and agricultural 
purposes, their popularity and quantity varying with the degree 
of agricultural intensity and economic factors in the various por- 
tions of the Union. Mules are more abundantly used in the grain 
district around the Cape Peninsula, and in the argicultural dis- 
tricts of the Kastern Cape Colony, whereas the ox and more recently 
the ass are mostly used in the interior and Natal. It is for eco- 
nomical reasons that the horse was never put to greater utility in 
agriculture. South Africa is by nature a pastoral country first. 
The large herds of cattle up to recently, after supplying the market 
with beef still furnished a large amount of oxen. So with the ex- 
ception of those small localities where crops are grown more ex- 
tensively, all cultivation and transport are done by teams of oxen. 
The team of oxen requires less handling, no stabling nor extra feed. 

Most of the plowing is done after the summer rains have 
fallen and the pastures are full. A good and well trained team of 
12 or 16 large Africanders in good condition and managed by only 
two average farm hands walks at a good pace and with a double or 
three share plough they turn over a fine piece of land in a day. 
The horse or muel will do more; but not so economically in the 
semi-arid regions with summer rains only whereas the opposite may 
be said of the ox in the regions of greater agricultural intensity and 
these compared with the domain of the ox is fractional. 

In 1896 and for some time after when the Rinderpest carried 
off almost 50% of the cattle of all the country north of the Cape 
Colony the horse received better recognition; but he was up against 


109 


great odds, he could not, hardy as he is, work under the same con- 
ditions as the yet harder Africander ox, he could not do the same 
amount of work on veld feed and owing to the undeveloped condi- 
tion of the agricultural resources no sufficient extra feed could be 
supplied. The muel and ox largely filled the place of the ox. 

The problem of feeding is the greatest drawback that prevents 
the horse to be more generally used in Agriculture, and if he is 
given the same care and feed as the mule the farmers will not have 
one overworked team of mules or oxen and a troop of 30-100 mares 
and young horses running about useless. 

Between the census of 1904-1911 Natal and Eastern Transvaal 
lost the greater part of their cattle through the ravages of Hast 
Coast fever; the decrease of cattle in Natal (1911) was 210.81 per 
cent. This gap was filled up mainly by asses and mules and the 
census returns show an increase of these of these animals of 250.81 
percent for mules and 1,053.73 percent for asses. This increase 
was made by importation from abroad and from the neighboring 
provinces which show a decrease of almost 50% in the number of 
mules. The importation of mules and the high prices are altogether 
out of harmony with the economies of animal husbandy. It is un- 
doubtedly the result of the disasters caused by East Coast fever ; 
but at the bottom of it all is the feeding problem and the general ne- 
elect to make better use of the troop of horses. The well-bred hardy 
Cape Horse will do the same amount of work given the same care 
and feed as the average Cape bred mule besides this the team of 
mares can refill the team many times over and the gelding can be 
put to infinitely morse uses than the mule or ass—simple truths that 
are unhappily realized by too small a number of farmers, and they 
are worth considering since the breeding for beef is coming up very 
rapidly and the usual large and strong trek-ox will become scarcer 
while the slow ass will also disappear from the areas of greater ag- 
ricultural development. 

The horse population or the Union in 1911 is given as 719.414 
and this number inereases to 813,345 if mules are included. Of the 
almost 6,000,000 inhabitants, only about one and a quarter million 
are whites. Hxcluding the natives and other colored people and 
their live stock we find that each white person possesses : 

.65 horse and mule, or .90 when asses are in cluded; 2.66 cat- 


(1) Census Returns Live Stock—1911. 


110 


tle; 15.62 pure-bred sheep or 21.47 with other sheep; 3.04 Angora 
goats or 5.69 with other goats; .67 ostriches.” 

Comparing these figures with those of other great countries 
we find that the Union of South Africa has more than twice as many 
horses and mules as the United States, more than twenty times as 
many as France and more than twenty-four times as many as Ger- 
many per head of population. Yet it does not get half as much 
value of its horse stock as these great countries do, where almost all 
their agricultural wealth rests on the horse. 

The Union possesses more than half the number of horses, 
mules and asses on the continent of Africa which do not number 
two million fully while the Union figures are given as more than 
1,140.000. 

The natives are agriculturists mainly; that is they produce 
only as much as they need for food until the next season and if the 
crops fail owing to droughts or other catastrophes they are depend- 
ent on the whites. The percentage proportion of the live-stock 
owned by the whites and natives as follows :° 


Horses Cattle Pure bred sheep Other sheep 

MWihnaibesiy 02" 3. 78.27 57.37 88.94 84.08 
Navies ties 21.73 42.63 11.06 15.92 
Pure bred Goats Other Goats Pigs Ostriches 

Willintesin 22 89.10 44,22 40.67 99.28 
Natives 82... 10.90 59.78 59.33 0.72 


A statistical survey of the past centuries is impossible in a 
country that has been and is still continually expanding. Taking 
leaps of about a century we find that each person in the Cape Col- 
ony possessed in 

1690— .26 horse, 53.52 sheep, 4.74 cattle. 

1796—2.17 horses, 66.44 sheep, 11.52 cattle. 

1891—0.79 horse, 30.16 pure-bred sheep, 7.03 other sheep, 2.92 

cattle. 

These figures are of no value except to show the pastoral wealth 
towards the close of the 18th Century and remarked upon by Lich- 
tenstein, Heitmann and many other explorers of that period. This 
wealth continued into the next century and we are already famil- 
iar with some of the achievements and catastrophes of that age— 


(2) Census Returns Live Stock—1911. 
(3) Census Returns Live Stock—1911. 


11 


the Indian trade in remounts, the numerous studs with excellent 
stock, and the importation of Thoroughbreds. The ultimate deter- 
ioration of the stock, the ravages of Horse-Sickness and the results 
of the great Trek and Kaffir wars explain the low figure for horses 
in 1891 when the periodical disease of Horse-Sickness passed like 
a huge wave of destruction over the country. 

It is extremely difficult to trace the prices of horses during the 
centuries, for even the price for remounts are often not quoted and 
amongst the farmers a system of exchange or barter has been much 
in practise. 

As mentioned before, the price paid for a horse at the first 
public sale of horses in 1665 was equal to that of four large oxen 
in prime condition. With the exception of the one quotation of a 
stallion costing 3000 Thaler we do not know the market value of an 
average horse in the 18th Century nor would it be correct to sssume 
it comparatively with the stallion’s price; but then perhaps more 
than now good, reliable and strong riding horses comanded faney 
prices. 

In 1796, the year horses were mast numerous (2.17 for each 
person) the price for a remount was 80 rixdollars (£16 or $80) 
and a superior quality fetched 100 rixdollars. At this period Eng- 
land held the Cape for Holland, an occupation that became per- 
manent in 1806. The Records further remark that the value of all 
trade matters increased remarkably after the English occupation, 
and the price for horses increased from 60 to 150 rixdollars.* 

During the twenties and thirties of last century horses. bred 
from the excellent stallions imported by Lord Charles Somerset 
fetched very high prices. Mr. van Reenen sold mares at £113: 13.6 
and yearlings frequently fetched 1000 rixdollars and 3000, 3500 and 
more were paid for colts of exceptional promise.** 

A decade later the price of remounts varied from £18-£33 in 
round figures. Those exported to India cost almost double that 
price when landed. A batch of horses exported to Bombay in 1849 
costing on an average £33: 2.6 were estimated to cost £63 :10:6 in- 
clusive of freight and other expenses of the voyage.° This price 
(4) General Craig to Rt. Hon. Sir Henry Dundas in Records of Cape Colony 
(5) Pee Cape Colony Vol. XXIII-XXVI. 

(*) It was the transition period for coinage and the dollar must still have had 
a value of 4 or 3% shillings. 


(6) Remount Agent Major J. Bower. Horse Supply for India—Annexzures and 
Printed papers of House of Assembly 1858. 


qi 


was frequently much higher, especially when a smaller number were 
exported. The following list gives the number and value in 1857 
and exported not as property of the government or Hast India 
Company :” 

Madras, 11 horses £950; Bombay, 6 horses £300; Ceylon, 8 horses 
£340; Geelong, 1 horse £75; St. Helena, 16 horses £550; Mauritius, 
349 horses £16699; Bourbon, 23 horses £690; Walfish Bay, 2 horses 
£20: Rio de Janciro, 40 horses £1445. ; 

The 5482 horses exported during the Indian Mutiny in 1758 
were bought for the average price of £39:7. Both this and previous 
prices paid were much higher than that offered by the Remount 
Committee in 1845 for horses to be delivered at their depots in India 
for 600 rupees (£30) for horses; 550 rupees for geldings and 500 
rupees for colts. As we know from previous remarks nothing came 
of these restrictions and they had to buy at colonial prices and ex- 
port at their own risk, still they had their way ultimately and with 
the decline and subsequent fall of the trade we are already familiar. 

In 1888 Veterinary surgeon Nunn made three very extensive 
tours through the best horse-breeding districts, including the lower 
parts of the Orange Free State and remarks that only a limited 
number of remounts could be obtained for heavy dragoons and 
medium cavalry, but in times of emergency especially if the stand- 
ard was somewhat relaxed a certain number could be found suitable 
for light or irregular cavalry. The price of an average horse of 
this kind he estimated from £20 to £25; Cobs for mounted infantry 
£15 to £20; mules about £20. Horses fit for heavy cavalry would 
be hard to put a price on, there were but few and if required they 
would fetch fancy prices; bnt at a rough guess he placed them at 
£30." 

During the Herero war in German South West Africa (1904-7) 
Germany bought large numbers of horses in the Union. The aver- 
aged price paid was £28 and for second class animals this was very 
good.” 

At the present time good horses always command their own 
prices, but they are few and never reach the market. The prices 


for horses at the Live Stock Market during 1913 varied from £19 to 
(7) Custom House. Cape Town 1858. 
(8) Reports on the Horse Supply of South Africa. J. A. Nunn to Adjudant 


General in 1888. 
(9) Natal Agricultural Journal 1906 and also Exports and Customs 1903-1911. 


113 


£30.1° The breeders of reputation possessing excellent stock and 
stallions cannot meet the demand for yearling colts which sell out 
from £50-£100. Mares are never for sale or at least very seldom 
_ and two-yearlings are as scarce. With breeders of heavier breeds 
near the cities things are different and they sell at serviceable ages. 

South African bred Thoroughbreds generally fetch very high 
prices. 

At the Rand Agricultural Show (Johannesburg) in April 1914, 
the sale of several South African bred Thoroughbred two-yearlings 
attracted great attention. Five hundred guineas was the top price 
for a half-brother to ‘‘ Hiffel Tower’’ by Sarcelle; 500 guineas for 
““The Mede’’ by Sarcelle; ‘‘Niobe’s’’ half-sister fetched 400 guineas 
and ‘‘Blanche’’ and ‘‘Sir Starr’’ each fetched 300 guineas." 

Although these prices are high they do not reach that paid for 
colts of great promise in the beginning of last century and are prob- 
ably not of the same calibre, conformation and weight carrying 
powers. The sires of that period more generally combined great 
weight and compactness with speed than present day sires which 
have lost many good qualities in their attainment of greater size 
and speed. 

It is a frequent remark that there are sufficient horses in South 
Africa but that their quality is not on a par with their quantity. 
Managers of stud farms, great breeders and experts all complain of 
‘“weedy’’ and undesirable sires and this circumstance has probably 
driven some men who ought to know better into the belief that 
crosses with heavy breeds will remedy matters; but the experience 
of the past, and of the best experts have proved the contrary. Eco- 
nomically no other horse will give a greater amount of general 
efficiency and usefulness than the Cape Horse—the type that is still 
met with occasionally and represents the ideal type of palmy Han- 
tam days. He is a native of the land with the breath of the life- 
giving veld in his nostrils, the tenacity, health and power of the 
virgin soil of the pastures in his hoof, bone and tendon—an equal 
to any other equine quadruped in the world. 

During seven years (1904-11) the Orange Free State Province 
has increased its horse stock 189.47 percent; Natal 13.57 ; Transvaal 
72.61 and the Cape Colony 30.98. The Orange Free State pos- 
sesses splendid horse breeding areas and some of the material used 
(10) Farmers Weekly 1913. 

(11) Rand Daily Mail 16 April, 1914. 


114 


is of a high class. It is a very hopeful sign that horses, not im- 
ported heavies, but quick, strong light-bred horses are becoming 
more common in agriculture. With better methods of management 
and breeding the Cape Horse will soon be a strong economical fac- 
tor in the ever-widening agricultural development which is only just 
beginning. With our cattle bred for beef, the ass discarded for his 
slowness, and the heavy draft animal for his expense and unsuit- 
ability, the strong, shortlegged, bigbarreled and well-bred Cape 
Horse has every chance to become the foundation of our agriculture. 

The economic value of the Cape Horse as a factor in war has 
been established beyond doubt. We are already familiar with his 
achievement in India, the Crimea, the many Kaffir wars, the Herero 
war and last but not least the Anglo-Boer War. His hardiness, 
surefootedness, willingness and capability of doing much work on 
scanty rations have gained for him a world-wide fame. 

Sir Walter Gilbey in his ‘‘Small horses in Warfare’’ that was 
written during the Anglo-Boer War seems to have been inspired 
mainly by the experiences gained in that campaign where even with 
double teams of remounts, picked from every available spot on 
earth, the British forces could not overtake the Boers on their 
‘‘nonies.”’ ‘Their rapidity of movement has given us an important 
lesson in the military value of horses of that useful type which is 
suitable for light cavalry and mounted infantry. It was then 
proved beyond dispute that these small horses are both hardy and 
enduring, while owing to their possession like our English Thor- 
oughbreds of a strong strain of Arab blood, they were speedy enough 
for light cavalry purposes.’ The only objection to the Cape re- 
mount previously to the war was his size. He was judged by Euro- 
pean standards and those standards were reached by artificial 
measures. In breeding for increased height, however plausible in 
certain breeds, the great importance of other valuable qualities are 
lost sight of. This fact was brought home in a very disastrous way 
and very soon the leggy or artificially increased horse was a hopeless 
failure against the smaller, speedier and hardier Cape Horse. 

In this relentless prejudice of size lies the defeat of the British 
cavalry in South Africa. The larger horse of light breeds owes his 
increased size to artificial methods of production and under war 
conditions he cannot keep up with horses bred under natural con- 
ditions. 

(12) ‘‘Cape Horses’’ in ‘‘ Small Horses in Warfare’’. Sir Walter Gilbey 1900. 
115 


Speaking of the purchase of large numbers of horses in foreign 
countries by the remount agents—Sir Walter Gilbey remarks that 
‘‘had the demand been made for ponies a very large proportion 
could have been cheaply and quickly been bought in England for 
their mode of life would have suited them very well for ‘roughing 
it’ in South Afriea.’’ In peace time this type of horse will do more 
general farm work than his pampered brother of a hand or more 
higher. 

For economic reasons this fact cannot be impressed on South 
African breeders too much; namely, that: increased structure and 
height does not imply increased utility in all directions. It is the 
general opinion to-day of every expert on the matter that the Thor- 
oughbred with his increased height attained at the present time 
has lost in great measure the qualities possessed by his smaller an- 
cestors.’* Some of the best breeders of Arabs found no difficulty in 
grading them up a couple of inches; but they found that when this 
had been done the bigger horses were in no way better, stronger or 
stouter than Arabs of normal size. 

The experience of a great trainer of race horses favors small 
horses: ‘‘As a rule you may get fifty good small horses for one good 
large one and the smaller ones stick to the course longer than the 
large ones. A good big horse may beat a good small horse over a 
short course, but I think at three or four miles a good little one 
would beat the best big one I ever saw.’’ In forty years of exper- 
ience he recalls only one good stallion above or about. 16 hands— 
Stockwell—‘‘ Both for the race course and the stud the small horse 
is the best.’’*° 

The experience of hunters, explorers, horsemen and campaign- 
ers will be unanimous in showing that small, compact. well-muscled 
horses between 13.2-14.2 hands high are those on which reliance can 
be placed for hard, continuous work on scanty food. 

Sir Richard Green Price speaking of many years experience as 
a cavalry leader remarks that ‘‘small horses will beat moderate 
horses double their size and few of our present cavalry horses will 
live with them in a campaign—they are more easily taught, handled 
and mounted than bigger horses and with twice their constitution 
and thrice their sense.’’'® 
(13) Compare: Sir Walter Gilbey’s Works. 

(14) See Scawen Blunt in ‘*‘ Small Horses in Warfare’’. 


(15) William Day ‘* The Race-Horse in Training.’’ 
(16) Bailey’s Magazine in ‘‘ Small Horses in Warfare’’. 


116 


In these days of motor traffic the necessity of light cavalry of 
ereat mobility and endurance is of great strategic and economic 
importance. Cavalry movements can be accomplished with great 
rapidity unhampered by the usual heavy outfit of heavy cavalry 
which can be forwarded by motor lorries. In attack or retreat the 
small horse will generally serve the trooper best. 

The economy for our breeders lies in the production of a horse 
that will give the maximum amount of usefulness with the minimuin 
amount of cost of production. There are difficulties in the way in 
order to hit this ‘“‘happy medium’’ and not the least will be the care 
and watchfulness that must be exercised between artificial life with 
its attendant evils of overgrowth, pampering, and the consequent 
delicacy of constitution which will minimize that capacity of endur- 
ance, which is so essential and the free natural existence, without a 
spare diet and reckless exposure to extremes of climate which will 
check the growth. This type of horse is most in demand under 
present existing conditions and will form the best foundation stock 
where an increase in height for other duties are necessary. To breed 
for increase in height without keeping up some artificial system or 
other to back up what has been attained by artificial means is to invite 
inefficiency and heavy mortality when such products are put to 
work under natural conditions; conditions under which the horse 
produced on lines best adapted to the country would thrive well. 

‘The sacrifice of useful qualities to the ‘god of inches’ is de- 
plored only in so far as it applies to the average trooper,’’ con- 
eludes Sir Walter; and with us it would apply to the general pur- 
pose horse as well. “‘The utility of large and powerful horses has 
never been questioned; but they can no more do the work or spece- 
ial tasks of ponies, hardened by natural conditions, than they can 
fly. For all-round farm work the well-bred, veld-hardened horse of 
14.2 hands is unsurpassable.’’ 

With the eye on the future when the ox is bred for beef and the 
ass has become too slow and the mule not half so economic as the 
good horse, these remarks well merit the best attention of breeders 
throughout the Union. 


1i7 


CONCLUSIONS. 


That the Cape Horse is not recognized as a breed of its own, 
need not reflect to the discredit of the stock; for a breed of live 
stock is not of itself an end but a means to an end. That end is 
the yielding of a product that will give the maximum value at a 
minimum cost,—to raise such animals as would be best fitted to the 
natural conditions of the country and would be most profitable 
under the conditions of rearing, feeding and selling which prevail 
in the particular locality. These were the aims of the founders of 
the Africander cattle and the Cape Horse. These ‘‘voortrekkers’’ 
achieved great success because they realized the particular needs of 
their time and produced such types and fixed such characters as 
these needs demanded. 

Times change and evolution is continuous, both in our markets 
and in our systems of agriculture and stock raising. It is quite 
clear that we cannot cling to the standards of the founders of our 
live stock, however good they may have been in their own times 
and for their own needs New standards and new types are neces- 
sary to cope with new demands. For this purpose no hard and fast 
rules can be laid down. 

It is quite obvious that in South Africa with its several locali- 
ties of different climate, vegetation and occupations, would require 
live stock of different qualities and standards. 

These types will have many fundamental points in common and 
will vary only in dissimilar ideas of efficiency and suitability both 
as regards the nature of their uses and conditions of rearing them. 
This fact is only too well illustrated by the various breeds and types 
of farm animals in European countries. The farmers appear to 
have found what marketable articles they can produce especially 
well. In some eases it is early lambs, in others mature mutton or 
baby beef, or again it may be cereals, forage crops or vegetables. 
The recognition of these facts have been the cause of the production 
of the several types of farm animals, now perfected and established 
into distinct breeds. The maximum value at a minimum cost is the 
anderlying principle here. 

Since we cannot see too far ahead we are safest in setting our 


118 


standards fully abreast of the times and prepare ourselves to make 
such modifications as the future may necessitate. 

The way to improvement of farm animals is only to be pursued 
by slow and studied steps and is a process of many methods which 
may be either highly beneficial or harmful. 

Besides the fundamental forces underlying all breeding such 
as, heredity, variation and their attendant. phases, there are others 
which are within the control of man and systematised into different 
systems of breeding. These systems will depend on the purpose 
and circumstanees of the breeder. If he is a breeder of pure-bred 
stock his system and material will be different to that of a breeder 
of unimproved stock. ; 

Grading is probably the most common system of breeding. It 
consists in the mating of unimproved animals with highly improved 
ones. Generally the improved animals are the sires and if they are 
the best of their breed improvement is rapid. A convincing ex- 
ample is the importation of a batch of high class stallions in 1811 
and after by Lord Charles Somerset. The improvement was most 
remarkable, all the more so, since the mares also possessed very good 
breeding. % 

Cross-breeding is another system which consists in crossing in- 
dividuals of different fixed breeds in the hope of combining desir- 
able qualities of both parents and eliminating the undesirable char- 
acters. As often, however, the undesirable qualities are propogated 
in the off-spring and he is a nondescript product that will not breed 
arue to the type—how could he for his parents were unlike. 

In horse-breeding, cross-breeding is an uncertain undertaking 
although it has decided advantages in animals bred for the market. 
Cross-bred animals often have a vigor and robustness greater than 
either parent. These qualities give a considerable economy in the 
production of a market carcass. 

Without going into further detail on the other systems of breed- 
ing such as in- and out-breeding it can safely be said that in estab- 
lishing a type selection is an all-important factor. In a sense it is 
true that all breeding is entirely based upon the single principle of 
selection ; if the selections are right the desired results must follow. 

Some of our most experienced breeders have been most wary 
in expressing definite suggestions in improving our horse stock. 
The previous pages show that a great diversity of opinion exists on 
this matter. 


119 


It seems, however, that through the centuries our horse breed- 
ers have made use of grading mostly—they bred from improved and 
pure-bred stallions because their brood mares were not of a fixed 
breed although possessing some breeding. 

In 1830-50 when South Africa furnished remounts to the Brit- 
ish army in India, the type of horse that gained so much fame and 
that represented the highest stage of development of the Cape Horse 
wes an improved grade from,Cape mares with some of the best 
Thoroughbreds—a type of sire that is growing scarcer to-day and 
then was of superior muscular development and greater weight car- 
rying powers as proved by the fact that several of the sires then 
imported were the sons of the sires—the Hark-aways, the Pretenders 
and the Bellfounders—which largely contributed to the foundation 
and establishment of the Hackney. 

The Cape Horse owes his best qualities to the Arab and Thor- 
oughbred; but even as the Arab cf to-day is unable to impart or 
even possess many of the good qualities possessed by the breeds that 
are mainly indebted to him for what they are—the steed of the 
Thoroughbred, the additional qualities and size of the American 
Saddler and the weight of the Percheron—even so the Thorough- 
bred in his turn will also become useless for the breeds he has 1m- 
proved and established, except where he is selected with many re- 
strictions as to welght-carryinge powers, conformation and muscular 
development. 

In view of all these difficulties the government and great breed- 
ers should come to adopt more definite and rigid measures as re- 
gards our horse breeding. 

Great authorities from Huropean and other countries, to name 
one, Mr. Alfred West, the great Irish Judge, can not speak too high- 
ly of the wonderful opportunities as afforded by climate, pastures 
and other economie facilities of South Africa in producing a horse, 
and large numbers too, second to no other. 

The future , now more than ever before, holds the greatest op- 
portunities for us. The Cape to Cairo railway will bring us nearer 
the world’s greatest markets and we know that we can produce bet- 
ter horses than India and Australia for we have everything in our 
favor. 

We need have no fear, the best economists and stock raisers 
tell us, that motor traffic will ever make the horse useless. The 


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increase of population and wealth resulting from civilization and 
modern inventions all tend in the long run to increase the demand 
for good horses both for use and pleasure. 

Glaneing at the history of the various countries we find the 
horse stock has increased tremendously in spite of increaesing motor 
traffic. The horse-stock of the United States—the nest of automo- 
biles and motor lorries—is becoming more valuable year by year ; 
it is more valuable now that either its herds of cattle or cereal 
crops and these are gigantic sources of wealth. 

To regain the old and lost glories for our horses we must fol- 
low more rigid and definite lines. All non-deseript stallions must 
be done away with, and others must be either subsidised or author- 
ized by the government. 

We must make absolutely sure to breed from first class stal- 
lions whether they be Thoroughbreds, Arabs or even Standard-bred 
and American Saddlers. The latter two breeds will give us as 
ereat satisfaction as any other and if our ancestors could import 
good sires from this country in small sailing vessels there is cer- 
tainly no prohibitive difficulties to-day. 

With good sires, intelligent grading and selection and an effi- 
cient government control we will soon have every great market of 
the world open to us and if we reproduce the famous Hantamer type 
of 1850 with certain improvements we need not fear any competi- 
tion from any country. é 

These remarks refer to driving, riding and cavalry horses and 
are backed up by the greatest authorities. In breeding for draft 
purposes we seem to have greater difficulties. The best experts 
are convinced that the pure draft breed will never be quite a success 
in South Africa; but we can certainly produce a heavier animal for 
our agricultural needs and mainly to capture the market for draft 
animals in our own cities. 

In the grading of our horse stock there are mares that are of 
a decided draft type. If these are bred to well-selected and not too 
heavy draft stallions we will get a fairly fine draft animal. 

There is probably no better stallion for this purpose than the 
Percheron. Owing the larger amount of his blood to Oriental sires 
and being obtainable in three grades—light, medium and heavy 
with the same characters and breeding true to type— he should 
with careful selection be an ideal if not the best sire to breed with 


121 


our heavy mares and produce a good draft animal. Posyessing 
all the good qualities of any other draft breed he has in addition 
better feet and his limbs and pasterns are free from coarse hair. 
His temperament too, is decidedly preferable to that of other draft 
breeds. He is by far the most desirable draft horse in the United 

States. 

In breeding for draft purposes the aim should be to make com- 
pactness or form, symmetry, sound limbs and feet and supple action 
supply the want of weight and bulk. 

In conclusion a few imperative hints to our horse-breeders in 
general will not be out of place here. 

Grading with careful selection will establish the type that is 
aimed at. Even pure-bred animals of the same breed will vary in 
type. Study the brood mares—keep a Stock Register—and breed 
the mares to the stallions best suited to their type. 

Quality is always better than quantity and economy better 
than extravagance. A few well-bred, well-fed colts are more valu- 
able than a nondescript, half-starved mob. What a colt has lost 
during foadhood can never be regained—their mothers can help 
pay their keep and feed during foalhood by being worked moder- 
ately. 

Be interested in the horse-world and live stock in general. 
Send your sons to one of the Agricultural Colleges even if it is 
for one term only. The Vacation or Special Courses will also be 
highly beneficial to older men—one never grows too old to learn. 


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